Nello Ciotti with grandchildren Paloma and Hugo on a visit to Arischia in October. About 150m behind where they are standing is Nello’s cousin Elisabetta’s house, where all the large furniture was toppled during yesterday’s earthquake. Arischia is about 30 minutes’ drive from L’Aquila. (0752666)

GUERNSEY’S Italian community has been devastated by the horror of an earthquake that shook their country yesterday.

The death toll is thought to have reached 179 according to some reports. Thousands have been left homeless after the quake – measuring between 5.8 and 6.3 on the Richter scale – struck close to the medieval city of L’Aquila.

People are still trapped under the rubble of their homes.

Restaurateur Nello Ciotti, 66, has relatives living near the now grief-stricken city. Fortunately they are safe.

His son, Marco, said when the family heard the news they were very worried and picked up the phone straight away.

‘As far as we can tell, all of our family is OK,’ said Mr Ciotti, 46. ‘My father called his sister in Italy and she had spoken to their cousin, Elisabetta, who lives in a small village, called Arischia, just outside of L’Aquila.

‘She said they expected something as there was quite a lot of seismic activity before the full quake hit.

‘She had run outside her house and into the street during the quake, which she said lasted a long time.’

Furniture in her house toppled over and small cracks appeared in the building.