YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of Armenia is clarifying whether or not Armenian citizens and Armenians are among the victims of the earthquake in Italy.

“The Armenian Embassy is in constant contact with the local authorities”, the MFA writes on Facebook.

Earlier CNN reported a strong earthquake hit central Italy, leaving terrified residents huddled outside collapsed buildings overnight and an unknown number of people trapped beneath the rubble.

At least 21 people died following the 6.2-magnitude earthquake early Wednesday, according to CNN affiliate Rai.

The earthquake hit 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of Norcia at 3:36 a.m., the United States Geological Survey said. Its tremors rattled Rome -- about 100 miles away.

In Amatrice, buildings collapsed and left the mountainous town in ruins.