Cornwall’s ShelterBox emergency response charity is sending a team to Italy following the earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, southeast of Perugia.

A severe earthquake at 1:36 am GMT struck south-east of the Italian city last night, killing at least 21, with an unknown number trapped beneath rubble in several villages. This was a shallow quake in a mountainous area, with tremors felt as far away as Rome

ShelterBox, based in the UK but with an affiliate organisation in Milan, is sending a team within 24 hours to the remote mountainous area.

ShelterBox Operations Co-ordinaror Phil Duloy is heading up initial assessment work, and is now making contact with local and government officials in Italy.