Two strong aftershocks hit central Italy, destroying churches and homes and knocking out power, just two months after a powerful earthquake killed nearly 300 people.

Relatives of victims of the Italian earthquake have gathered in Amatrice for an evening Mass remembering dozens of the 292 people killed.

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.