ROME: A 5.4 magnitude earthquake has struck Italy 66 km to the east of Perugia, according to the US Geological Survey.
The quake could be felt in Rome, shaking centuries-old buildings in the capital, reports AP.
It comes just two months after a powerful quake killed nearly 300 people in central Italy and destroyed the hilltop village of Amatrice, reports The Independent.
Wednesday’s quake struck at 7.10pm local time near the province of Macerata at a depth of just 9km. It was initially measured at 5.6, but was later revised down.
#Earthquake magnitude 5,4 – 60,7 km from #Perugia – #Italy https://t.co/Ai9OguoJ2L pic.twitter.com/vyQUGgGPoY
— EarthQuakes (@QuakesZone) October 26, 2016
“The earthquake only happened a few minutes ago. It’s dark here, so impossible to determine if there has been any damage outside,” a local resident in Macerata told the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
“All services are still working normally.”
Italy’s National Vulcanology Centre said the epicentre was close to Macerata, 50 miles south east of Perugia in the central spine of Italy, which has traditionally been prone to quakes, known in Italian as terremoto, reports The Daily Mail.
Arcangelo Vicedomini, a software developer in Nettuno, near Rome, tweeted: ‘Earthquake in Italy, 5.6 Richter, epicenter 66 km south of Perugia. In it was feeled well. In Nettuno chandeliers are dancing.’
Today’s tremor came two months after a quake in central Italy killed nearly 300 people.
Perugia is an Italian city and the capital of the Umbria region. It’s known for its defensive walls around the historic centre and draws many tourists from around the world. Perugia is also a well-known cultural and artistic centre of Italy.
The city is located about 164 kilometres north of Rome and 148 km south-east of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and part of the valleys around the area.
Musafir Namah Bureau
