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Italy earthquakes: Strong tremors shake central region | Italy earthquakes: Strong tremors shake central region |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two strong earthquakes have hit central Italy, damaging buildings and sending scared residents into the streets. | |
A 5.5-magnitude quake struck at 1910 local time (1710 GMT) near Visso in Macerata province, officials said. | A 5.5-magnitude quake struck at 1910 local time (1710 GMT) near Visso in Macerata province, officials said. |
It was followed two hours later by a 6.1 magnitude tremor in the same area. Several people were hurt, but there were no immediate reports of deaths. | It was followed two hours later by a 6.1 magnitude tremor in the same area. Several people were hurt, but there were no immediate reports of deaths. |
The quakes come two months after a powerful earthquake struck slightly to the south, killing 298 people. | The quakes come two months after a powerful earthquake struck slightly to the south, killing 298 people. |
The 6.2 magnitude quake, on 24 August, toppled buildings in Amatrice and villages in the mountainous region around the town, which is just 70km (45 miles) from Visso. | The 6.2 magnitude quake, on 24 August, toppled buildings in Amatrice and villages in the mountainous region around the town, which is just 70km (45 miles) from Visso. |
Wednesday's earthquakes were felt across central Italy, including in the capital, Rome, where buildings shook and doors and windows rattled. | Wednesday's earthquakes were felt across central Italy, including in the capital, Rome, where buildings shook and doors and windows rattled. |
"Tens" of people were reported hurt, but only four people suffered serious injuries, Italy's civil protection chief Fabrizio Curcio said. | "Tens" of people were reported hurt, but only four people suffered serious injuries, Italy's civil protection chief Fabrizio Curcio said. |
The BBC's Katya Adler, in Rome, says that emergency services in the affected areas are still assessing the situation. | The BBC's Katya Adler, in Rome, says that emergency services in the affected areas are still assessing the situation. |
The second earthquake was considerably stronger than the first and numerous smaller aftershocks have occurred. One witness told Italian TV he saw part of a building collapse in front of him. | The second earthquake was considerably stronger than the first and numerous smaller aftershocks have occurred. One witness told Italian TV he saw part of a building collapse in front of him. |
The town of Camerino is thought to have been badly damaged, although the full extent of damage will not become apparent until after the darkness lifts on Thursday morning. | The town of Camerino is thought to have been badly damaged, although the full extent of damage will not become apparent until after the darkness lifts on Thursday morning. |
One resident told the BBC: "Everyone is leaving Camerino by foot or car to seek safety. Two churches are destroyed and many houses [have] fallen." | One resident told the BBC: "Everyone is leaving Camerino by foot or car to seek safety. Two churches are destroyed and many houses [have] fallen." |
In Campo, near Norcia in the Umbria region, the late 15th century San Salvatore church collapsed. It had been weakened by the earthquake in August. | In Campo, near Norcia in the Umbria region, the late 15th century San Salvatore church collapsed. It had been weakened by the earthquake in August. |
There are also reports of downed power lines, damage to historic buildings and a landslide on a main road north of Rome. | There are also reports of downed power lines, damage to historic buildings and a landslide on a main road north of Rome. |
"It was a very strong earthquake, apocalyptic," Marco Rinaldi, mayor of Ussita to the east of Visso, told Italy's Ansa news agency, referring to the second earthquake. | "It was a very strong earthquake, apocalyptic," Marco Rinaldi, mayor of Ussita to the east of Visso, told Italy's Ansa news agency, referring to the second earthquake. |
"People are screaming on the street and now we are without lights." | "People are screaming on the street and now we are without lights." |
Schools in the region will remain closed on Thursday, our correspondent reports. | Schools in the region will remain closed on Thursday, our correspondent reports. |
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is on his way to Rome, local media (in Italian) say. | Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is on his way to Rome, local media (in Italian) say. |
The first earthquake, 7km south-southwest of Visso, was relatively shallow, at a depth of 9km (nearly six miles). | The first earthquake, 7km south-southwest of Visso, was relatively shallow, at a depth of 9km (nearly six miles). |
The second, at 2118 local time, was 2km north-northwest of Visso, at a depth of 10km. | The second, at 2118 local time, was 2km north-northwest of Visso, at a depth of 10km. |
These tremors were linked to the August earthquake, Italian officials said. | These tremors were linked to the August earthquake, Italian officials said. |
"Aftershocks can last for a long time, sometimes for months," AFP news agency quoted Mario Tozzi of Italy's National Institute of Geophysics as saying. | "Aftershocks can last for a long time, sometimes for months," AFP news agency quoted Mario Tozzi of Italy's National Institute of Geophysics as saying. |
Are you in an area affected by the earthquake? Tell us about your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in an area affected by the earthquake? Tell us about your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |