At least 50 people have been killed in a powerful earthquake that struck central Italy, Italian officials say.

Five children are said to be among the dead and many remain unaccounted for as a massive search for those trapped is under way.

The 6.3-magnitude quake struck at 0330 (0130 GMT) close to L'Aquila city, 95km (60 miles) north-east of Rome.

A civil protection official said 3,000 to 10,000 buildings in the medieval city may have been damaged.

And as many as 50,000 people are feared to have been made homeless.

BBC news
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Pleas join me in prayer for all the victims who have been affected by this terrible disaster.

Love,
Sue

Joining in prayer for all the victims of the earthquake in Italy.
May they find comfort and peace.

Dear margherita I hope that all your loved ones are safe and well.

Love,
Gisele

Thank you for posting Sue.

Adding my prayers to everyone who was affected by the earthquake in Italy.



I am also concerned about you and your loved ones Margherita. I think that you are far enough away from the affected area.



Sending faith, hope and love.

Inda

Source: The Associated Press

L'AQUILA, Italy (AP) - A powerful earthquake in mountainous central Italy knocked down whole blocks of buildings early Monday as residents slept, killing more than 70 people in the country's deadliest quake in nearly three decades, officials said. Tens of thousands were homeless and 1,500 were injured.

Photo Gallery AP PhotoPowerful Quake Strikes Italy
A firefighter looks at a victim lying amid debris in the city of L'Aquila, after a strong earthquake rocked central Italy, early Monday, April 6, 2009. A powerful earthquake struck central Italy early Monday, killing at least 20 people, collapsing buildings and leaving thousands of people homeless, officials and news reports said. Officials said the death toll was likely to rise as rescue crews made their way through the debris.


Praying for everyone that has been affected by this terrible tragedy.

Love,
Vicky

quote:

Originally posted by dear Vicky2:

Praying for everyone that has been affected by this terrible tragedy.

Love,
Vicky

Joining this beautiful prayer.



Sending love and prayers to all affected by this tragedy



May God and The Angels protect and help heal



And so it is


AMEN

Sending prayers to all that have been affected by this very great disaster.

May all the ones still alive be saved.



Dear margherita, I hope that you and your family are allright.

Love,
yoko

Thank you everyone for joining me in prayer for the earthquake victims in Italy.

Dear Margherita, I know that you are in Rome, so I sincerely hope that you and your family have not been affected by this disaster.

Continuing to send prayers.

Love,
Sue

Continuing to pray for the earthquake victims, and their loved ones.

Sending faith, hope and love.

Inda

Continuing to send prayers.

Love,
Sue

L'AQUILA, Italy – Aftershocks from the earthquake that has killed at least 250 people in central Italy sent new fears through the tent camps that shelter thousands of survivors, and Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday that he would visit the shocked and injured people of the area as soon as possible.

Thank you, dear Sue, and all dear friends for this caring prayer. I join you in folding my hands for all the victims and all the people who need urgent assistance.
May the organization of the emergency plan work well. It was good to see the whole world expressing solidarity and offering help.

It was and continues to be a very scary natural disaster.

We woke up abruptly at 3.32 am on Monday. That's usually the deep sleep time. The beds moved with that characteristic undulating movement and the windows and shutters rattled loudly. I sprang up and saw the lamps swaying. My son also was up and frightened. My husband remained calm, surprisingly. That's the way to react of course, because one can't do anything. I heard some people down in the street. Those of the higher floors had felt it even more strongly. So imagine if we felt it so strongly at 80 km distance, those who were near the epicenter of the quake how powerfully they felt it!!
People are shocked.

It is an atavic fear, which is difficult to control.

Almost 250 victims and so many injured and homeless makes for a very dramatic situation. Hopefully it will stop! Yesterday evening there was another frightening moment. It lasted 20 seconds and yet it seemed never to end!! 5.3 Richter scale, which is almost as strong as the first devastating quake and for an "after quake of assessment" it is of too high magnitude. So this means, some say, that this might go on for several weeks.

May our Earth be as lovingly protected as is seen on your wonderful pictures.

Thank you all for the deep sensitivity.

Love,
Margherita

Dear Margherita, I am very happy that you and your family are all right.

Have a Happy Easter.

Continuing my prayers for the earthquake victims and their loved ones.

Love,
Gisele

Thank you once again, dear Gisele.
I wish you a very Happy Easter too.

The quakes of assessment continue, it seems to last for a long time. Hopefully there won't be any strong destructive one anymore!

On Easter day my daughter Sarah will visit us with her family. I am very happy to see them, Simon and Milo grow fast and it is a pleasure to see their development.

As you may understand, while Sarah will be here I won't have the possibility to connect. You will all be in my thoughts and I will be back towards the end of April.

Staying close always. Thank you again for caring.

LOve and peace and joy to all.
Margherita

Dear Margherita,

I am very relieved and happy that you and your family have not been directly affected by this very traumatic event.

Enjoy the company of your loved ones and have a very happy Easter.

Love,
yoko
~~~~~

My prayers continue for the victims of the earthquake.

Dear Margherita,

Enjoy your Easter in the company of your loved ones.
I am happy that you are safe and untouched by the earthquake.

Love, Inda
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Sending prayers to all the unfortunate homeless and injured people who suffered so badly due to the earthquake, and to those that lost their loved ones.

Love, Inda

Continuing my prayers for all these poor people whose lives have been so badly disrupted.

Love,
Vicky