The level of destruction after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Italy

Credit: AP Images

A powerful 6.2 earthquake hit central Italy today, leaving several people dead, and dozens trapped under the ruins.

The center of the earthquake was 2 km away from Amatrice in the province of Reiti. After the first earthquake, approximately 39 other aftershocks happened. The town of Amatrice is heavily damaged, with "half of the town gone".

Immagini di Amatrice dall'elicottero della #Forestale pic.twitter.com/TWt2bFrCw7
— Corpo Forestale (@corpoforestale) August 24, 2016

Until now there are reported 73 people dead, and hundreds buried in the ruins which means that the number of victims may increase. Stefano Petruci, the mayor of Accumoli said:

My town isn't here anymore.

The authorities fear that the number of the victims may increase, because there are many people trapped under ruins.

The footages below shows the level of destruction in Italy: