Italy Earthquake on Wednesday Aug 24,2016 - Day of national mourning for victims Saturday Aug 27,2016

A day of national mourning has begun in Italy for the almost 300 people who died when a powerful earthquake hit mountainous central regions.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is due to attend state funerals for victims from Arquata, one of the worst-hit towns.

A state of emergency has been declared in affected areas and €50m (£42m) in funds pledged for rebuilding.

The official death toll stands at 278 and no survivors have been found since Wednesday evening.

Despite this, the authorities say they will continue the search until they are certain everyone is accounted for.

Many bodies have been brought to a makeshift morgue in an aircraft hangar in the city of Rieti, where relatives have been identifying loved ones.

The first funeral for one of the earthquake’s victims was held on Friday, for the son of a state official who died in Amatrice.

At least 388 people have been treated in hospital for their injuries while more than 2,000 people were made homeless.

The 6.2-magnitude quake hit in the early hours of Wednesday Aug 24,2016, 100km (65 miles) north-east of Rome.

Flags flew at half mast across Italy on Saturday as the country observed a day of mourning for the victims of an earthquake that killed nearly 300 people.

President Sergio Mattarella paid tribute to the "extraordinary effort" of more than 4,000 rescue experts and volunteers as he began what was set to be an emotionally charged day with a brief visit to Amatrice, around 100 kilometres (60 miles) northeast of Rome.

The small mountain town suffered the heaviest losses in the disaster with around two thirds of the quake's 284 confirmed victims buried under tonnes of collapsed masonry in its devastated centre.

The elderly head of state looked visibly moved as he contemplated the site of a razed house on the edge of a zone that has been sealed off by rescue workers for fear of further collapses.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella Visits Quake-Devastated Town, Thanks Rescue Workers

Italian President Sergio Mattarella Saturday Aug 27,2016 paid a visit to Amatrice, a town devastated in the earthquake that hit central Italy this week and the place with the highest death toll.

The visit comes as Italy observes a day of national mourning for the 284 victims of the earthquake. Mattarella will also attend a state funeral in the town of Ascoli Piceno along with Premier Matteo Renzi for some of the victims.

Mattarella arrived by helicopter to the edge of Amatrice and was guided around by the mayor, Sergio Pirozzi, who showed him the extent of the damage. Mattarella also met and thanked rescue workers, who have been working since early Wednesday to save people trapped in rubble and recover the dead.

Due to the vast extent of the damage, the president could survey the town only from the outside, because it is too dangerous to enter the sealed-off town center, a once-picturesque stone town.