Italy Quake Adds to Renzi Challenges as Death Toll at Least 120
- Premier already faces weak economy, high debt, political risk
- Collapsed buildings, relief efforts in Amatrice, other towns
Italy Earthquake Reduces Towns to Rubble
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A powerful earthquake hit central Italy in the middle of the night, killing at least 120 people, in the latest challenge to Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi as he tries to speed up the country’s economy and overhaul its political system.
The quake struck at 3:36 a.m. Wednesday, destroying small mountain towns in the regions of Lazio, Umbria and Marche and burying victims in the rubble of collapsed buildings, the Civil Protection agency said on Wednesday. The death toll continued to climb throughout the day as rescuers searched for survivors and bodies amid the debris.