Strong aftershocks have damaged two key access roads into quake-struck Amatrice, threatening to isolate the tiny Italian hilltop town as hopes fade that firefighters will find any more survivors from the earthquake that killed at least 278 people.

The death toll from the earthquake that hit central Italy has risen to 247, Italy's civil protection agency announced last night.

Latest: Italy's civil protection agency has upgraded the provisional death toll from Italy's 6.1-strength earthquake to 73.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake has struck central Italy, levelling buildings as people slept, with one mayor saying his town "isn't here any more".