Three Brits dead in Italian earthquake, local officials say

Rescue: Firefighters have spent hours searching the rubble for survivors

EPA

26 August 2016

At least three Britons have died in the earthquake that rocked central Italy yesterday morning.

Three British Citizens are among those killed in Amatrice, an official from the town has confirmed.

At least 250 people have died after the grade 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck in the region of Umbria in the early hours, an area popular with summer tourists.

Search: Rescuers have been working tirelessly to pull people trapped in the rubble.

The worst affected areas were the towns of Amatrice, Arquata, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, in the mountainous area 65 miles north-east of Rome.

An official from the town of Amatrice told the BBC that three Brits had died, although the Foreign Office has not yet confirmed the deaths of any British nationals.

British Embassy staff are in the region providing consular support, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said additional staff had been sent to assist.

The UK government has already offered to help with the recovery effort, as about 5,000 rescue workers are combing the rubble for survivors.

Mr Johnson said: "My deepest sympathies are with the Italian people and everyone affected by the terrible earthquake that struck central Italy.

"The British government has offered any assistance that we can to help with the recovery effort and I have spoken with Italian foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni to express my condolences personally."