Italian PM Matteo Renzi Declares Quake Area State Of Emergency

Italy's Prime Minister has declared a state of emergency in the area affected by the earthquake which killed at least 281 people.

It came as a strong 4.7-magnitude aftershock struck near the worst-hit town of Amatrice on Friday morning.

PM Matteo Renzi has authorised an initial €50m (£42m) in crisis funding to start the rebuilding process and offered to cancel taxes for those affected.

He also called for a national collective effort - dubbed Italian Homes - to build dwellings for the future that will be safe in the event of other quakes.

The Queen has made a personal donation to help search and rescue work being carried out by the Italian Red Cross.

Buckingham Palace said the donation - the amount of which was unspecified - was given to the British Red Cross, of which The Queen is a patron.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have previously said they were "saddened to hear of the loss of life" and sent their "thoughts and prayers" to the "people of Italy, especially the family and friends of those affected".

The 6.2-magnitude earthquake comes just seven years after more than 300 died after a tremor in L'Aquila, prompting concerns that not enough is being done to protect people's property and lives.

Mr Renzi said: "Just as the pain we feel today is strong, so, too, is the pride that belongs to a nation that is able to react in this way to a state of emergency.

"But that is not enough and we must think beyond the state of emergency, that there is a need for a bigger plan, and we will do that together."

Three Britons were killed in the Italian earthquake in the village of Sommati, just outside Amatrice .

Two of those killed were the owners of an apartment that was hit by the quake.

The other was the teenage son of another family who were staying with the owners.

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Dozens of people are still believed to be trapped in Amatrice, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, three of the worst-hit towns.

The Local news website said Amatrice normally has a population of around 2,500 but was packed with visitors when the quake struck.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said extra Foreign Office staff had been sent to the region to help provide support to Britons who have been affected.

Scores of aftershocks have been felt in the area where rescue work is under way.

At least 365 others were injured in the initial earthquake and the aftermath, which included a 4.3-magnitude aftershock the day after the first quake.

Although a few people are still being pulled out from rubble alive, a volunteer in Amatrice said 90% of those they find are dead.