The quake hit at around 10:25am local time on Wednesday and was recorded 104km (69 miles) northeast of Rome, according to the US Geological Survey. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reports the depth of the quake at 10km.
The epicenter is understood to be just 7km from the town of Amatrice, the scene of a devastating 6.1 magnitude earthquake in August 2016, which claimed 297 lives. It’s less than 50km from the city of L`Aquila where more than 300 people were killed by an earthquake in 2009.
A number of aftershocks followed the initial quake on Wednesday, the largest measuring 5.7, hitting 110km northeast of Rome, according to the EMSC.
No injuries or damage to buildings have so far been reported, according to Reuters. A number of checks are being carried out in areas affected by the quake.
Rome’s Metro system has been evacuated as a result of the quake, according to reports on social media.
Rome metro suspended as earthquake hits central Italy
18 January 2017
Read: 3353
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake has struck central Italy, with tremors reportedly felt across the regions of Abruzzo, Marche and Lazio, including the city of Rome.
-1780923278.jpg&h=190&w=280&zc=1&q=100)
