A woman (2nd L) cries after been rescued from her home following a quake in Amatrice, central Italy, Aug 24, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

A Reuters reporter said the town's hospital had been badly damaged by the quake, with patients moved into the streets. RAI reported that two Afghan girls, believed to be asylum-seekers, were also missing in the town.

The earthquake caused damage to towns in three regions - Umbria, Lazio and Marche.

The US Geological Survey, which measured the quake at 6.2 magnitude, said it struck near the Umbrian city of Norcia, while Italy's earthquake institute INGV registered it at 6.0 and put the epicentre closer to Accumoli and Amatrice, the two towns that appeared to be hardest hit.

The damage was made more severe because the epicentre was at a relatively shallow 4 km below the surface of the earth.