Strong Earthquake Hits Central Italy

L'AQUILA, Italy (AP) - Officials fear a rising death toll from a strong earthquake in central Italy that has killed at least 20 people.

Officials and news reports say the quake collapsed buildings and left thousands of people homeless. Officials say the death toll is likely to rise as rescue crews make their way through the debris.

RAI state TV reports firefighters aided by dogs are trying to rescue people from crumbled homes, including a student dormitory where half a dozen students remained trapped.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude of the quake was 6.3, though Italy's National Institute of Geophysics put it at 5.8.

The quake struck about 70 miles northeast of Rome and was felt in the capital.

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