LOC13:51
10:51 GMT
ROME, Aug 24 (KUNA) -- Rescuers have pulled 38 dead bodies out of heaps of wreckage caused by the powerful earthquake that hit several Italian regions, the civil defense said on Wednesday, hours after the nation was stricken with the dawn catastrophe
Ten of the deaths were reported in Arquata, Marche, and 28 others in the towns of Matrice and Accumoli.
Meanwhile, the National Geophysical Volcanic Institute said up to 39 tremors were registered in Lazio, Umbria and Marche alone. The strongest one was recorded 6.0 degrees, followed by two others of 5.1 and 5.4 degrees.
Others areas that were ravaged by the earthquake were Posta and Arquata del Tronto.
Visual media has aired pictures of the quake aftermath. At some spots rescuers and civilians were sifting through heaps of shouldering wreckage with their bare hands, in search for survivors.
The tremors left scores of properties, buildings and houses demolished or damaged. (end)
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