At least 260 people including 16 children have died in the L'Aquila earthquake, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Wednesday.
He said the 8,500-strong rescue teams would keep combing the rubble over Easter for any people left.
The premier voiced ''full confidence'' in the rescuers who were doing a ''splendid job,'' he said.
The number of missing is said to be 2-3 but there have been conflicting reports.
Solemn funerals will be held Friday by the city's archbishop, he said.
Berlusconi's added that the government had decided to put a new anti-looting law on Italy's books envisaging stiffer penalties for people caught stealing after such disasters.
There have been several reports of looting in the aftermath of Monday's quake which devastated L'Aquila and surrounding villages.
