Photos of Italian Towns Before and After Deadly Earthquake

The 6.2-magnitude quake struck in the middle of the night.

ByABC News
August 24, 2016, 4:31 PM

— -- A deadly earthquake that shook Italy early this morning has left rubble and debris where picturesque Italian streets and buildings once stood.

The death toll has now reached 159 after the 6.2 magnitude quake struck in the middle of the night while many residents were asleep in their homes.

In the town of Amatrice, the damage was so extensive that its mayor told The Associated Press, "The town isn't here anymore."

Here are some before and after snapshots from areas in Arquata del Tronto and Amatrice in central Italy.

Accumoli di Rieti, Italy is seen here in this undated photo.
Google
Rescuers and people walk along a road following an earthquake in Accumoli di Rieti, central Italy, Aug. 24, 2016.
Steve Scherer/Reuters
Amatrice, Italy is seen here in this undated photo.
Google
Rescuers set up a first aid camp in the courtyard of the hospital of Amatrice, Aug. 24, 2016, after a powerful earthquake rocked central Italy.
Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images
Arquata del Tronto, Italy is seen here.
Google
A view of buildings damaged by the earthquake, Aug. 24, 2016 in Arquata del Tronto, Italy.
Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

As rescue workers continued to search through the rubble for survivors, Pope Francis replaced his weekly catechesis in St. Peter's Square with a heartfelt address.

"Hearing the mayor of Amatrice say that the town no longer exists, and learning there are children among the dead, I am deeply saddened," the pope said.

"I cannot fail but to express my heartfelt sorrow and spiritual closeness to all those in those zones afflicted," he added, offering "condolences to those who have lost love ones and my spiritual support to those who are anxious and afraid."

Amatrice, Italy is seen here.
Google
Search and rescue teams survey the rubble in Amatrice, central Italy, Aug. 24, 2016.
Massimo Percossi/EPA

Related Topics