A strong earthquake struck central Italy early Wednesday, leaving several people dead and terrified residents huddled outside at night, surrounded by collapsed buildings.
At least four people died following the 6.2-magnitude earthquake, according to CNN affiliate RAI.
The earthquake hit 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of Norcia at 3:36 a.m., the United States Geological Survey said. Its tremors rattled Rome about 100 miles away.
In one of the hardest-hit areas, buildings collapsed and left one mountainous town in ruins.
“The roads in and out of town are cut off. Half the town is gone,” Sergio Pirozzi, mayor of Amatrice, told the affiliate.
