l'Aquila earthquake: Quake of 6.3 magnitude strikes Italy - latest news, l'Aquila updates

A powerful earthquake of 6.3 magnitude hit central Italy on Monday morning 06.April.2009 at 1.32 AM GMT after an initial 4.6 magnitude shake. The quake occurred about 95 km north east of Rome near the city of l'Aquila (Abruzzo region) and it lasted for about 30 seconds. Its depth was around 10 km and initially the amplitude reached 6.7 on Richter scale but lately decreased to 6.3. ANSA news agency reported that many buildings were damaged in l'Aquila. The effects were felt also in the capital Rome.
According to the morning updates at least 27 people were declared dead (5 children among them); 3000 to 10000 buildings were destroyed and some 100000 people fled their homes. In Italy was declared emergency state.
Update2: the number of dead people is believed to be more than 50
Update3: more than 90 casualties reported at 13:00 GMT.
Update4: at 2300 GMT death toll rose up to 150 according to Euronews.net
Update5: aftermath: In the end the total number of casulaties reached around 294 people.
Live earthquake video footage from TG5 and CNN with rescuers searching debris.