IN PICS: Aftermath of deadly earthquake in Italy

The town of Amatrice, home to just under 3,000 people. The mayor said on Wednesday morning: "Three quarters of the town isn't there anymore". Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Residents and rescuers search through the rubble. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

A man reacts among the wreckage of the town. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Rescue workers carry a man through Amatrice. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Rescuers assist a man who has been pulled from rubble. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

A pram is carried through the town. It is not yet known if any children were among the dead or injured, but stories have emerged of young children being pulled from the rubble alive by rescue workers. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Trained dogs were used to help in the rescue effort, which saw all emergency services in the area mobilized. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

A family sits among the ruins of local buildings. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

A woman is helped out of her home. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

A local man surveys the wreckage of homes; the quake took place in the early hours of the morning. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

A man from Amatrice. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

A man searches the rubble; many were trapped in the wreckage of their homes, with rescuers working hard to free them. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

A collapsed staircase. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Rescue workers help a woman make her way through the rubble. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

Residents assisting each other. Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP