Quake: U.S. ready to help, Kerry says (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, August 24 - United States Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday called Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni to voice condolences to the Italian government and sympathy for the families grieving after the earthquake that hit central Italy killing at least 75 people. Kerry said he was deeply struck by the death toll and confirmed the US's readiness to respond to any requests for help in the coming days and weeks, the foreign ministry said. The 6.0-magnitude quake flattened towns on the borders of Lazio, Umbria and Marche.