Survivors from the devastating earthquake recall the night's "terrible roar".

"I lost everything, I'm here as you see me, even this was given to me by some people who passed by, I have nothing," said quake survivor.

"4 of us were saved, 3 nuns and an elderly lady, there are four elderly ladies and three nuns still missing. From here everyone survived, they saved each other, they took their hands even while it was falling apart, and they ran, and they survived," said sister Mariana, quake survivor.

A mother embraces her son in Amatrice, central Italy, August 24, 2016. [Photo/IC]

 People cover themselves with blankets as they prepare to spend the night in the open following an earthquake in Amatrice, central Italy, August 24, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]