Travelers Urged to Avoid L'Aquila, Italy, During Earthquake Cleanup

As you no doubt know by now, an earthquake struck Italy's Abruzzo region yesterday. Sadly, over 200 people are known to have died, and the death toll is still climbing. Many buildings in the city of L'Aquila and surrounding villages collapsed completely and others are seriously damaged. Rescuers are contending not only with mountains of rubble but also with potentially dangerous aftershocks.

According to the U.S. Department of State, Italian authorities have asked travelers to avoid the L'Aquila area. If you are already in the Abruzzo region, please contact your embassy and tell the staff where you are and how they can contact you.

If you are trying to reach a relative or friend currently traveling in the Abruzzo, you can contact the official Italian earthquake hotline. Dial 011-39-066-8201 from the U.S.

Martha Bakerjian, About.com's Guide to Italy Travel, is providing updates on the earthquake situation on her Italy Travel Blog.

Photo © Marco Di Lauro / Getty Images