More than 150 killed in Italy earthquake!
ROME, Italy - April 6, 2009 - More than 150 people have been killed and 1,500 made homeless by a massive 6.3 earthquake in central Italy, hospital sources have said.
Authorities had previously provided a provisional toll of at least 100 deaths.
Rescuers are still searching for survivors as dozens of aftershocks continue to plague the area, hampering their efforts.
TV footage showed rescuers racing away from the rubble of a ruined house as a tremor hit, sending masonry flying.
Gianfranco Fini, speaker of Italy's lower House of Parliament, said entire towns had been "virtually destroyed" with 15,000 buildings off limits.
The epicenter was close to the city of L'Aquila in the center of Italy, about 100 miles northeast of Rome.
