A team of 16 Chinese volunteers has arrived in Amatrice to help with rescue operations.
The team was organized by the "Ram Union" sports club based in the eastern city of Hangzhou. The club's media officer said two doctors and a demolition expert are among the volunteers.
She added that the team will begin searching for survivors among the debris once heavy machinery arrives on site to remove large pieces of rubble. The club will consider sending further volunteers to Italy if necessary.