ROME The region in central Italy ravaged by an earthquake more than a week ago will need at least $16 billion for rebuilding, the country's interior minister said.

As some children started going back to school, experts were assessing damage to buildings still standing.

Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said the government would consult with local administrators, including opposition officials, while it seeks resources to rebuild the Abruzzo region. Maroni provided the estimate late Tuesday on state television.

The 6.3-magnitude quake that struck on April 6 killed 294 people. It leveled or damaged tens of thousands of homes and other buildings.

Officials say they aim to have people out of the tent cities by winter, which is frigid in the mountainous Abruzzo region. Not all of the 55,000 are homeless many left their homes out of fear amid continuing aftershocks.