A general view following an earthquake in Amatrice, central Italy, is seen in this Aug 24, 2016 handout picture provided by Italy's Fire Fighters. [Photo/Agencies]

ACCUMOLI, Italy - A powerful earthquake devastated a string of mountain towns in central Italy on Wednesday, trapping residents under rubble, killing at least 73 people and leaving thousands homeless.

The quake struck in the early hours of the morning when most residents were asleep, razing homes and buckling roads in a cluster of communities some 140 km (85 miles) east of Rome. It was powerful enough to be felt in Bologna to the north and Naples to the south, each more than 220 km from the epicentre.

A family of four, including two boys aged 8 months and 9 years, were buried when their house in Accumoli imploded.