President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday sent a letter of condolence to Italian President Sergio Mattarella following the devastating earthquake which occurred in the center of the country.

"Our thoughts are with you and the people of Italy at this very difficult time as you seek to help the injured, give shelter to those made homeless, and plan the reconstruction," Rivlin wrote his Italian counterpart.

On behalf of the citizens of Israel he asked, "Please convey our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured, and our hopes that the region will soon experience a happier future."

159 people were killed in Wednesday morning's 6.2-magnitude earthquake which hit Italy and was felt as far as Rome.

Some 360 people have been reported injured, with still more unaccounted for and potentially buried under the rubble of toppled buildings.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi warned on Wednesday evening that the number of killed and injured would likely rise as rescue teams continued to uncover victims from the debris.