World News = Italy earthquake: Day of national mourning for victims

ADVERTISEMENT

A day of national mourning has begun in Italy for the coarsely 300 people who died as soon as a powerful earthquake hit mountainous central regions.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is due to attend own going on funerals in the regional capital, Ascoli Piceno, for victims from the town of Arquata.

President Sergio Mattarella visited Amatrice, the town considering the most casualties, upon Saturday hours of daylight.

The death toll rose to 284 as more bodies were found overnight.

The authorities reveal they will continue to search until they are conclusive everyone is accounted for.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by hundreds of aftershocks, once one very damaging a key bridge into Amatrice.

"Let's dream it doesn't collapse or the town will be graze off from both sides," said Mayor Sergio Pirozzi.

Preparations for today's funeral for dozens of those who drifting their lives in the in foster hours of Wednesday hours of daylight were numb mannerism at first spacious.

Hearse after hearse arrived at the sports hall in the town of Ascoli Piceno.

Undertakers considering intent carried floral wreaths into the hall where the coffins of 34 victims from Arquata del Tronto are lined taking place, including those of two minor kids. One of the wreaths carried so said "Mamma".

In along as well as the mourners and the media, there's a large security presence because both Italy's President and its Prime Minister will colleague the families to pay their respects.

More aftershocks were registered in the in front hours of Saturday, one subsequent to a magnitude of four.

The arena beneath Accumoli, other extremely affected village, sank 20cm (8in) hence of the earthquake, satellite images obtained by Italy's scientific authorities acquit yourself.