At least 21 people have been killed in the earthquake that struck Amatrice, Italy at about 3:30AM Wednesday morning, 20 Menachem Av.

According to combined news sources, many of the dead were from the village of Pescara del Tronto, which was totally leveled by the quake. Most of Amatrice is also gone as a result as the earthquake struck 65 miles northeast of Rome.

Reports from Rome state residents reported they felt buildings shake for 20 seconds as the quake struck the region.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sent condolences to the people of Italy regarding the victims of the earthquake and his wishes for a quick recovery to the injured. He has offered search and rescue assistance to Italian Prime Minister Mateo Renzi.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)