At least 27 people died and thousands were left homeless when an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 shook central Italy early Monday morning. Five children are said to be among the dead and at least 30 people remain unaccounted for as a massive search for the trapped is under way. The 6.3-magnitude quake struck at 0330 (0130 GMT) 95km north-east of Rome, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the Italian media. It is not known yet if the casualties include Moldovans. The epicenter was in L’Aquila, a 13th century mountain city, where at least eight people died and more were trapped under rubble. Aftershocks shuddered through the area, hampering rescue efforts. Hundreds waited for treatment at the city's main hospital, where doctors were forced to treat people in the open air because only one operating room was functioning. The hospital was declared off limits for fear it would collapse and the worst victims were being taken by helicopter to other cities. Phone and power lines remain down, and some bridges and roads have been closed as a precaution. It was the worst earthquake in terms of deaths in Italy in the last 10 years. 3,000 to 10,000 buildings in the medieval city may have been damaged. A university dormitory, churches and a bell tower are believed to be among the buildings that had collapsed. The death toll is expected to rise. There are many injured people and collapsed buildings, Guido Bertolaso, the head of the Italian Civil Protection, confirmed.