Summary

  • 250 people are now known to have died in the earthquake that hit central Italy on Wednesday

  • The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.2, was felt in Rome, 140km (85 miles) to the south-west

  • Rescuers concentrate the search for survivors in four towns reduced to little more than rubble - Amatrice, Accumoli, Pescara del Tronto and Arquata del Tronto

  • The Italian Red Cross says there is still a chance of finding people alive

  • Survivors whose homes were destroyed spent the night in cars and tents

  • All times in BST (GMT+1)

Live Reporting

John Harrison, Nalina Eggert and David Gritten

  1. Rescue crews race against time as death toll rises

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the aftermath of the earthquake that hit central Italy early on Wednesday.

    Rescuers worked through the night searching for survivors in the three towns that were reduced to little more than rubble. Many people whose homes were destroyed slept in cars and tents.