More than a two dozen people were killed by an earthquake that hit centralItaly early Monday, local time, according to BBC News. A magnitude 6.3earthquake struck at 3:32 a.m. about 95 km or 60 miles north-east of thecapital, Rome.Rescue operations were underway and the death toll could continue to rise asan unknown number of people were trapped in rubble. Many people rushed into thestreets in a panic after the earthquake hit.
Many buildings, including very old structures, were destroyed about 120miles from the city of L'Aquila. A civil protection official told BBC that3,000 to 10,000 buildings were damaged. Thousands could be left homeless fromthe quake, but this information will continue unfolding as rescue and damagesurveys continue.
Aftershocks were felt over a wide area in Italy, including in Rome.
This earthquake follows after a 4.6-magnitude earthquake hit northern Italylate on Sunday.
Story by AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Meghan Evans.
