A powerful earthquake has hit central Italy.

The 6.6 magnitude quake struck at around 6.40 this morning.

It's centred on Norcia about 160 kilometres northeast of Rome.

The disaster comes two months after almost 300 people were killed by an earthquake in the same region.

Footage from Italian TV, indicates a number of buildings have collapsed.

It is not clear at this point if there are injuries.

Zachary Reeves from the U.S Geological Survey has been monitoring the situation: