Rome- At least 40 people were known to have been killed in the earthquake that rocked a cental Italian mountain area around the ancient town of L'Aquila in the early hours of Monday, Italian media quoted rescue officials as saying by mid-day.

Many more dead were feared under rubble after thousands of homes were wrecked or left dangerously cracked. The nearby towns of Paganmica and Poggio Picenze were also said to have been hard hit. (dpa)