YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. There have been more than 470 aftershocks in the 30 hours since the 6.2-magnitude earthquake that struck central Italy at 03:36 local time Wednesday, the National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology (INGV) said Thursday, ANSA reported.

The most recent, measuring 3.9 in magnitude, was at 06:51 local time, it said.

BBC reported the death toll in the Italian earthquake has risen to at least 247 as thousands of rescuers continue efforts to find survivors.

Dozens are believed trapped in ruined Amatrice, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, in mountainous central Italy.

The search went on through the night, and there was a strong aftershock which rocked already damaged buildings.

More than 4,300 rescuers are using heavy lifting equipment and their bare hands.

Many of the victims were children, the health minister said, and there were warnings the toll could rise further.

The 6.2-magnitude quake hit at 03:36 (01:36 GMT) on Wednesday 100km (65 miles) north-east of Rome.

The quake struck small towns and villages in the mountainous area where the regions of Umbria, Lazio and Le Marche meet.