An earthquake Sunday in northern Italy continues to take its toll.

In a town near the quake's epicenter a church stands in ruins. The 6.0 quake struck early in the morning Sunday. It was followed by a series of jolting aftershocks, which have left a trail of debris. At least two of them reached magnitude 5.1, sowing fresh panic, further damaging already weakened buildings and causing more structures to collapse.

Residents scramble for food and shelter.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MIRELLA DE PAULI SAYING:

"We found a shop that was open and even found some bread. In Dosso it seems we are fine. We even feel we've been fortunate in this misfortune. Most of us slept outside and now we're going around to see what actually happened."

Authorities say the damage done to Italy's artistic heritage is the greatest since a devastating earthquake in 1997

Civil protection units working in the area say local residents are asking for more tents so families can sleep in them overnight without having to return to their homes.

Some residents do not want to take any chances

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MASSIMO FRANCIOSA SAYING:

"Let's hope we can go back home and this doesn't drag on. But for the next three, four nights I'm certainly going to sleep out and then I will see if the situation has stabilized."

Sunday's earthquake killed four factory workers who were on the night shift, an elderly woman who was hit by a beam and two women who died of shock.

It also caused an estimated 200 million euros in damage to agriculture and left behind a swathe of destruction.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters