Serie A teams to observe minute's silence for earthquake victims

Serie A clubs will hold a minute's silence this weekend to remember the victims of the 6.2-magnitude earthquake that killed dozens northeast of Rome early Wednesday.

Italy prime minister Matteo Renzi confirmed at least 120 people are dead, although there are reports of many missing people. The area hit hardest by the quake was the Medieval city of Amatrice, whose mayor told reporters "half the town no longer exists."

Response teams were pictured helping the wounded from the rubble of former homes, as many were sleeping when the devastation occurred at 3:36 a.m. local time.

It is the worst earthquake to hit the Italian peninsula since 2009, when more than 300 people died in the Abruzzo area.

Every player in the Italian leagues will also wear black armbands in honour of the dead.

"I express the most sincere condolences to the families of the earthquake that devastated central Italy," said Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) president Giovanni Malago. "In this moment of grief, sport comes together in solidarity with the affected communities. Today we, as we will be tomorrow, are at your side."

The quake was felt as far south as Naples and as far north as Bologna, according to the New York Times. Italy's civil protection agency said the seismic activity caused more than 200 tremors across the country.

Several Italy internationals joined the outpouring on social media.

"A really sad and terrible awakening," wrote AS Roma's Stephan El Shaarawy on Instagram. "My thoughts go out to all the families affected by the earthquake in central Italy. A prayer for the victims and the missing. I'm with you."