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At least 38 killed in Italy’s earthquake

The rescue effort is complicated as some settlements are located in mountainous area

© AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

ROME, August 24. /TASS/. The death toll after a strong earthquake struck central Italy in the small hours of Wednesday has reached 38, a spokeswoman for the country’s civil protection department told Reuters news agency.

A total of 27 people died between the towns of Accumoli and Amatrice, and another 10 bodies were found in the nearby Arquata area, spokeswoman Immacolata Postiglione said. The death toll grew to 38 later, she told reporters during the press conference, giving no further details.

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The spokeswoman stressed that the rescue effort is complicated as some settlements are located in mountainous areas.

The 6.0 magnitude quake occurred at 3.36 a.m. local time (01:36 GMT) on Wednesday followed by a second one with the magnitude of 5.4. The earthquake was felt in many cities, including Perugia, Rieti and Norcia. The epicenter of the quake in the Rieti province was four kilometers deep.

The worst-hit settlements are located in the mountainous areas - Amatrice, Pescara del Tronto and Accumoli. There were also reports that buildings, roads and bridges have been damaged.

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The aftermath of devastating earthquake in Italy

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