A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck the southern Italian city of Naples on Thursday morning, causing minor damage and sending 11 people to hospital, authorities said.
The quake was the strongest ever recorded in the Phlegraean Fields, a vast zone of ancient volcanoes that covers much of the Naples metropolitan area. It was as powerful as another quake in the same region last May, which put residents on alert.
People, awakened by the morning jolt, sought shelter in the streets, as they did in May.
The epicentre of the earthquake, which left stones and cement falling from some facades, was near Pozzuoli, a coastal suburb on the border with Naples.
Mayor Gaetano Manfredi told media that one church, a seven-story apartment building and another building were closed to the public due to damage, and some schools were closed as a precaution.
Inspectors are checking buildings for further damage, Manfredi said.
“We are closely monitoring all our facilities and tracking all events in real time,” he added.
A total of 11 people sought medical attention. One woman was injured when part of the ceiling collapsed and several others were cut by glass that broke during the quake, Manfredi said.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
