Berlin  - German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent her condolences to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, following Monday's devastating earthquake.

Merkel said she was shocked to learn of the disaster in central Italy that "left many dead and injured as well as rendering countless people homeless."

The chancellor extended her "deepest sympathies" to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Some 90 people died the quake, which struck the ancient town of L'Aquila and the surrounding mountainous areas about 100 kilometres north-east of Rome in the early hours.

Latest accounts said 1,500 people were injured and 50,00 left homeless. (dpa)