![6.2 magnitude earthquake hits central Italy - at least 21 dead Residents look on as they stand on the rubble of collapsed buildings in Amatrice, central Italy, Aug. 24, 2016](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-04.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake rattled central Italy early Wednesday morning, killing at least 73 people.
The small town of Amatrice, a popular tourist spot, was worst-hit by the quake, which was felt by people as far away as Rome, Reuters reports. “Half the town is gone,” Sergio Pirozzi, the mayor of Amatrice, told reporters. “There are people under the rubble. There’s been a landslide and a bridge might collapse.” Due to collapsed buildings and rubble in the streets, rescuers have had difficulty accessing areas. The hospital also had to be evacuated due to structural damage.
The quake is comparable in intensity to the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake, which killed more than 300. Massimo Cialente, the mayor of L’Aquila, is using the temporary homes built after the 2009 earthquake to house the victims of this newest quake.
![A man is rescued alive from the ruins following an earthquake in Amatrice A man is rescued alive from the ruins following an earthquake in Amatrice](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX Italy Quake Aerial view of Amatrice in central Italy after a magnitude 6 quake struck, Aug. 24, 2016.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX Italy Quake A man is pulled out of the rubble following an earthquake in Amatrice Italy, Aug. 24, 2016.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![6.2 magnitude earthquake hits central Italy - at least 21 dead Residents look on as they stand on the rubble of collapsed buildings in Amatrice, central Italy, Aug. 24, 2016](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX Italy Quake A man cries as another injured is helped in Amatrice, central Italy, Aug. 24, 2016.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Italy Quake A victim is pulled out of the rubble following an earthquake in Amatrice Italy, Aug. 24, 2016.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX Italy Quake A nun checks her mobile phone as she lies near a victim laid on a ladder following an earthquake in Amatrice Italy, Aug. 24, 2016.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![ITALY-QUAKE Rescuers carry a man on a stretcher in front of a damaged building after a strong earthquake hit central Italy, in Amatrice on Aug. 24, 2016.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/italy-earthquake-08.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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