Italy quake death tolls rises above 200

Premier Silvio Berlusconi today announced that 207 people died in the powerful quake that devastated part of central Italy, and 15 more are missing.

Mr Berlusconi said that at least 100 of the roughly 1,000 injured people are in a serious condition.

He told a press conference after surveying the damage by helicopter that rescue efforts would continue for another 48 hours and trapped people had diminishing chances of survival.

The 6.3 magnitude quake struck the central Italian city of L’Aquila and surrounding villages early yesterday, levelling buildings and reducing entire blocks to a piles of rubble and dust.