Italy earthquake claims 90 lives

At least 90 people are believed dead and tens of thousands homeless after an earthquake hit L\'Aquila and other towns in central Italy this morning.



Officials say about 1,500 people were injured and many people still missing as rescuers search desperately for survivors trapped beneath rubble.



The 6.3 magnitude quake struck at 1.30 a.m. close to L\'Aquila.



Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, has since declared a state of emergency.



In total, 26 cities and towns have been damaged.



In L\'Aquila, 60 miles north-east of Rome, between 3,000 and 10,000 buildings in the medieval city may have been damaged.



Between 30,000 and 40,000 people are believed to have lost their homes and the authorities are working to find them shelter before nightfall.