In Norcia, in the Umbria region, some locals have decided to stay in their homes, while others spent the night in tents pitched near the town or have left for the coast.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is chairing a cabinet meeting to discuss emergency reconstruction efforts.

Norcia resident Stefano Boldrini, who is now living in a van with his eight-year-old daughter, was asked if they planned to stay in the area.

"How could we? There's no more school, or church, or police station. There's nothing here any more," he said.

The medieval basilica of St Benedict in Norcia was among many historic buildings that were destroyed.

An evacuation of vulnerable buildings in central Italy last week, following strong aftershocks from August's quake, may have saved lives.

Officials said three people were dug out of the rubble alive in the town of Tolentino on Sunday.

Giuseppe Pezzanesi, mayor of Tolentino, said the small town had "suffered our blackest day yet".

"The damage is irreparable. There are thousands of people in the streets, terrified, crying," he said.