Coffins have been lined up in a sports centre in Ascoli Piceno (Picture: Getty)

A state funeral is set to be held in Italy for many of the victims of the deadly earthquake, as aftershocks continue to shake the country.

The death toll from the tragedy has risen to 284 as the country begins a day of mourning in memory of the victims, during which flags will be lowered to half mast.

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Two more bodies were found overnight in Amatrice, the worst-hit town where at least 224 people died.

Since Wednesday’s 6.2 magnitude quake, more than 1,000 aftershocks have hit the area, the Italian geological institute said, with the strongest measuring 4.2.


President Sergio Mattarella flew to Amatrice today to see the damage, while 35 people will be laid to rest in the town.

Italians across the country will be mourning the dead today (Picture: EPA)

Rescuers are still searching for survivors (Picture: AP)

The president will later travel to Ascoli Piceno for a funeral of up to 40 victims.



Rescuers are still searching through piles of rubble in the streets, but there is little hope of finding survivors.

Local resident Luciana Cavicchiuni said: ‘Even if I didn’t know them my heart broke for them.

‘My thoughts are with them because there are people who have lost everything, homes, loved ones and the sacrifices made in life.

‘These things should not happen.’

Politicians pay their respects (Picture: AP)

Emotions have run high as people remember the victims (Picture: AP)