A magnitude 6.6 earthquake rocked Central Italy on Sunday, flattening towns which were already devastated by two tremors last Wednesday and the August 24 quake which killed almost 300 people.
The latest quake is the most intense that Italy has experienced in decades.
The earthquake struck at 7:40 am local Italian time, 6 kilometres north of Norcia, and was felt from the heel of the boot in Puglia to the Alps in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Although no confirmed deaths have been reported following the latest shock, head of the Civil Protection Agency Fabrizio Curcio has stated that around 20 people have suffered minor injuries, while several people have been recovered from the rubble by rescue teams accessing the areas by helicopter.
Houses and historical buildings have continued to collapse in the already vulnerable region, including the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea in Norcia and the Basilica of St. Benedict, which dates back to the 14th century.
Norcia city assessor, Giuseppina Perla described the scene at the epicentre of the quake.
"It's as if the whole city fell down," she said.
Fear has spread as far south as Rome, where people flooded onto the streets as the ground trembled.
Rome's metro system was temporarily shut down along with the Basilica of St. Paul, as authorities surveyed the capital city's infrastructure for damage.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has offered support and encouragement to the victims of the series of earthquakes, promising that homes, landmarks and buildings will rise from the rubble once again.
"We will rebuild everything - homes, churches, businesses," Mr. Renzi said.
We are dealing with marvellous territories, territories of beauty."
Pope Francis has also reached out to the devastated towns and regions, offering his prayers during the Sunday blessing at St. Peter's Square.
"I am praying for the injured and the families who have suffered the most damage, as well as for rescue and first-aid workers," the Pope said.
With ANSA
