Children trapped in Italian quake

Fifty children were trapped when a kindergarten collapsed after an earthquake shook central and southern Italy today.

The loft of the kindergarten, which was full of children, fell on top of them in the southern town of San Giuliano.

The Ansa news agency said rescue operations were underway to save the children.

Several youngsters were reported injured and were being taken to hospital

The 5.4 magnitude quake had its epicentre in Campobasso, a town 50 miles north-east of Naples, and panicked residents into the streets.

Fire fighters in the province of Campobasso said a car full of passengers was hit by a collapsing building.

Schools were evacuated in at least three towns in the Abbruzzo region, the ANSA news agency said.

In 1980 an earthquake in the Naples area killed 2,570 people and left 30,000 homeless.