A day of national mourning has begun in Italy for the almost 300 people who died when a powerful earthquake hit mountainous central regions.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is due to attend state funerals in the regional capital, Ascoli Piceno, for victims from the town of Arquata.
President Sergio Mattarella visited Amatrice, the town with the most casualties, on Saturday morning.
The death toll rose to 284 as more bodies were found overnight.
The authorities say they will continue to search until they are certain everyone is accounted for.
Most victims were Italian, but several foreigners were also affected by the natural disaster.
This is so sad, this goes to show how lucky we are in this country, we don’t suffer from all these natural disasters, yet our nation is in shambles. all our problems are self inflicted. Rest in peace to the dead.
Manny the long lost MDB’er