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Two strong earthquakes strike central Italy

A series of strong earthquakes have hit central Italy, striking fear among residents still rattled by a deadly tremor in August, but there were no reports of casualties.

A quake measured at 6.0 magnitude by the US Geological Survey struck about two hours after a first quake measuring 5.4 struck.

Both were strong enough to be felt more than 150 km south in Rome, where lamps swayed on the upper floors of building.

The magnitude 6.0 quake struck a little over two hours after the first quake. Source: US Geological Survey
The magnitude 6.0 quake struck a little over two hours after the first quake. Source: US Geological Survey

The epicentres of both quakes were near the town of Castelsantangelo sul Nera in the Marche region.

There are reports people are trapped beneath the rubble of buildings.

First reports indicated that some old buildings collapsed but that the damage would not approach that caused by the major quake that struck the Marche, Lazio and Umbria regions on August 24, which devastated several towns and killed nearly 300 people.

Officials in the town of Visso, not far from the epicentre, reported several injuries. Several old rural churches collapsed or were damaged. Schools were ordered closed on Thursday.

A heavily injured man gazes at his destroyed hometown of Amatrice following a devastating quake in August. Image: AFP/Getty
A heavily injured man gazes at his destroyed hometown of Amatrice following a devastating quake in August. Image: AFP/Getty

The US Geological Survey initially attributed a magnitude of 5.6 to the first quake and 6.4 to the second, before revising them lower.

USGS said the epicentre was at a depth of about 10km.


Electrical power was lost in some of the areas and some roads were closed.

Mauro Falucci, mayor of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, said there was no electricity and people in the town of about 300 residents has gathered in a town square.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi cancelled engagements to follow developments.

Wednesday's earthquake caused further damage to already precarious structures in Amatrice, the town worst hit by the 6.2-magnitude tremor in August, officials said, but there were no injuries.

News break – October 27