Italian quake toll rises to 150
Updated on 06 April 2009
The Italian president, Silvio Berlusconi declares a state of emergency as the Pope says special prayers for the victims of Italy's earthquake.
More than 150 people were killed as a powerful earthquake struck the heart of Italy last night and at least 1,500 were injured, as entire towns were flattened leaving tens of thousands of people homeless.
The quake struck a wide area just east of Rome in the early hours, one woman said she woke up to what sounded like a bomb.
Houses, historic buildings and churches collapsed, trapping people beneath the rubble.
Professor Bob Holdsworth
Alex Thomson is joined by Professor Bob Holdsworth who is part of a UK-based team of scientists studying the fault thought to be behind the earthquake in L' Aquila.
Live from L'Aquila
Keme Nzerem reports live from L'Aquila.
