A strong earthquake struck central Italy early Monday, killing six people, including four children, and causing buildings to collapse, officials and news reports said.
Several people were also reported missing in the area where the quake struck. The quake was felt in much of central Italy, including Rome.
The quake struck about 70 miles northeast of Rome at about 3:32 a.m. local time (0132 GMT), officials said. The Civil Protection Department said the epicenter was near the city of L'Aquila, in the mountainous Abruzzo region.
The US Geological Survey said the magnitude was 6.3, though Italy's National Institute of Geophysics put the magnitude at 5.8.
Four children died in L'Aquila after their houses collapsed, the ANSA news agency said.
Massimo Cialente, mayor of L'Aquila, told private Sky TG24 that two people were reported dead in the nearby small town of Fossa. He confirmed reports that another eight were missing in another small town.
The ANSA news agency said the dome of a church in l'Aquila collapsed, while the city's cathedral also suffered damages.
People were woken by the quake and ran into the streets, ANSA said.
The quake was the latest in a series of jolts that struck the area over the past two days.
