While Italy is in shock mourning over the lost lives caused by the deadly 6.2 magnitude earthquake in the central region of the country, the death toll has reportedly reached 268 people, according to Rai TV. The official count is put at 250 dead, but Italian authorities fear this number could rise to over 300. Meanwhile, dramatic audio of desperate Italian citizens calling the police help line has emerged. One man crying can be heard saying: ‘Help me! There has been an earthquake! My whole family is trapped under the rubble’. In another phone conversation another man calls for help but before he can continue explaining his situation the line is cut off. Italian media are raising serious questions about the lack of preparedness on the part of the Italian authorities to respond effectively in the wake of the disaster. Italian commentators claim the disaster should have been prevented since the country is known to be a seismogenic zone.