An earthquake, measuring 6.2 ± 0.016[3] on the moment magnitude scale, hit Central Italy on 24 August 2016 at 03:36:32 CEST (01:36 UTC).

The earthquake was initially reported by INGV to have occurred at a depth of approximately 5 km (3.1 mi), with a magnitude of 6.0 Mw and epicentre in the comune of Accumoli.

[12][13] The discrepancies between the different estimates of the magnitude led INGV to explain in a blog post that they use a crustal velocity model specifically calibrated for Italy and give more weight to the seismometric stations situated close to the epicentre.

[14] The tremor and a number of aftershocks were felt across the whole of central Italy (from Rimini to Naples), including Rome, Florence and Bologna.

[citation needed] As of 26 August 2016[update], the official figures of the Protezione Civile report that the earthquake caused the death of 297 people: 234 in Amatrice, 11 in Accumoli and 49 in Arquata del Tronto.

[43] In addition to those rescued with the help of other inhabitants or escaped by themselves, 238 people were pulled alive from the rubble by the timely intervention of the authorities, 215 by the Vigili del Fuoco and 23 by the Soccorso Alpino.

Early reports indicated severe damage in the town of Amatrice, near the epicentre,[47] and in Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto.

[52][53][54] In Amatrice, the facade and rose window of the Church of Sant'Agostino were destroyed, and the museum dedicated to the painter Nicola Filotesio, student and companion of Raphael, collapsed.

[54] The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi – a UNESCO World Heritage site with frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue that were partly destroyed by an earthquake in 1997 – was declared safe after an extensive survey by the head restorer.

French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published a cartoon depicting Italian earthquake victims as pasta dishes, causing "shock and outrage.

[63] A magnitude 6.1 intraplate earthquake struck Italy 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) west of Visso on 26 October at 9:18 p.m. local time.