Italy toll quake climbs: at least 18 dead

Rome, Aug 24 (AFP) At least 18 people have died after apowerful earthquake struck central Italy in the early hourstoday, according to local officials. Deaths were reported in three villages in a mountainousarea straddling the regions of Lazio and Marche: Amatrice,Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto. At least 10 people died in Pescara, a hamlet that is partof the bigger village of Arquata del Tronto, according tocivil protection officers cited by the ANSA news agency. Six bodies were recovered at Amatrice, according to thepresident of the Lazio region, and two at Accumoli, accordingto the town’s mayor. (AFP)KJ