Victims sad and scared as they return to Italy earthquake ruins

The death toll in the Italian earthquakedramatically rose overnight, to more than 240, and dozens are still missing.

The number of people in these mountain villages swell during the summer, as they are a popular vacation destination. In the remote village of Accumoli, the population nearly doubled, which means the death toll is also higher, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane.

In Accumoli Thursday, some were allowed to return home to salvage what they could. One woman told us she was sad and with so many aftershocks, also scared. 

Those who lost homes or could not return to them camped out. People are half nervous and half desperate but they have lost everything -- the work of an entire life -- one volunteer said.

Overnight, the search for survivors continued, though hopes dimmed as four bodies were removed from the rubble. Rescue workers tried to resuscitate a newborn, but were unsuccessful.

But there were the moments that keep the rescue workers going. One elderly woman was saved from under debris. 

Drone footage from above showed the random nature of the quake -- some towns were flattened while others were spared.The ancient architecture in places like Amatrice drew tourists. The bell of the clock tower was obscured by buildings, but those structures that stood for centuries were reduced to rubble in seconds. The clock tower now stands alone, with tourists now replaced by rescue workers.

Many of these villages have become ghost towns. Aftershocks continue to rattle the region, so even where homes are still standing, many are deemed too dangerous to return to.