A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck central Italy early Monday morning, seriously damaging buildings in the mountainous Abruzzo Region east of Rome. At least 16 people, four of them children, died.
The quake struck shortly after 3:30 AM. This is the strongest earthquake to hit Italy in years, officials said.
The city of L'Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region was strongly. Many older structures were destroyed. People rushed into the streets, rattled by the quake.
The ANSA news agency said the dome of a church in l'Aquila collapsed, while the city's cathedral also suffered damages.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake's epicenter was believed to be some 60 miles from Rome and that its depth was 6.2 miles. The USGS initially estimated the quake at 6.7 but later lowered it 6.3.
Officials warned that as many as 10,000 people may be left homeless.
Luca Spoletini, spokesman for the national Civil Protection Department said "The situation is very serious because the quake affected buildings," including a student dormitory that collapsed.
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