It was a large but still relatively modest magnitude 6.2, centered in the mountains east of Rome. Many small cities and towns in historic Umbria have been damaged and the scenic town of Amatrice has been devastated, with hundreds of very old buildings totally collapsed into piles of rubble. Damage was greater than one would expect given the size of the earthquake, probably due to the antiquity of the buildings. Dozens are dead and an unknown number of people are still trapped under rubble. Roads are impassible, due to collapsed buildings and landslides. Electricity and communications are out. Helicopters and rescue workers are on their way. These towns were popular with tourists, so foreigners are almost certainly included among the injured and dead. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...de-earthquake-centered-near-capital-Rome.html. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us10006g7d#executive
BBC has the current death toll at 160 and rising. Several small villages have essentially been wiped off the earth, with all of their buildings destroyed. Thousands of rescue workers are on the scene and heavy equipment has been brought in to move debris. But there is growing fear that time for rescues is running out. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37181933
Death toll now at 241 and certain to rise further, since many people are still missing. A small hotel in Amatrice had 32 guests, 28 of whom are missing. Rescuers are losing hope that they will find many survivors, the more time goes on. http://www.thelocal.it/20160825/italy-quake-toll-hits-247-as-rescuers-hunt-for-survivors
