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 267 people.
also see:ITALY EARTHQUAKE: DEATH TOLL RISES TO AT LEAST 120
also see:ITALY EARTHQUAKE: DEATH TOLL RISES TO AT LEAST 120
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."
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.
