Devastating earthquake in Italy

The Italian island of Sicily has been devastated by a huge earthquake that has left hundreds of people dead and more than 1,000 others injured.

Entire villages have been destroyed and it is expected the toll of dead and injured will continue to rise in the coming days. Large numbers of doctors, engineers and soldiers from the Italian army have been rushed to the island to help with the rescue operation.

(L) Locals pray in open air after their church was destroyed in the earthquake. (R) Victims of the disaster are removed from the ruins in makeshift coffins. (Image: Illustrated London News [London, England], 23 May 1914)

The Red Cross has sent ambulance detachments and tents, food, surgical and sanitary equipment have also been dispatched. There are growing concerns that railway bridges and tunnels will suffer further collapses, while all across the west of the island people are sleeping in the open air.