Rescuers have removed three bodies from a hotel engulfed by an avalanche in central Italy as a desperate search for up to 30 other people continues.

Heavy snow and disruption caused by multiple earthquakes have hindered rescue efforts in the rubble of the Rigopiano hotel, in the Abruzzo region.

The disaster struck on Wednesday evening but rescuers only reached the site on Thursday as roads were blocked.

Two people who were outside the hotel at the time of the avalanche survived.

Four earthquakes above magnitude 5 rocked central Italy on Wednesday, with tremors continuing into the night.

The quakes compounded problems resulting from snow and freezing weather, with power lines brought down and villages temporarily cut off.

Rescue operations are under way across central Italy and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said the EU is ready to help.

"Heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones in #Italy," he wrote in a tweet, in English and Italian. "Europe is ready to help. Siamo tutti vicini all'Italia [We are all Italy's neighbours]."

(Source: BBC)