4.9-magnitude quake hits central Italy

An earthquake measuring 4.9 magnitude hit central Italy early Sunday, followed by a series of aftershocks, including one of nearly equal magnitude, but no damages were reported. According to the Rome-based National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the quake occurred at 3:32 a.m. local time (0132 GMT) with the epicenter near Numana, in the central region of Marche. The shake, which occurred at a depth of 8.4 kilometers, was also clearly felt in the nearby region of Abruzzo. More than 10 aftershocks were registered in the following hours, including one with a similar magnitude of 4 which hit the same area at 5:07 a.m. local time (0307 GMT). According to reports from the local emergency services, many citizens called for information but there were no reports of people injured. The fire squads were also called by many of the region's residents, but no damages have been registered so far. Italy, which is characterized by considerable seismic activity, has been hit by frequent tremors over the past weeks since June 21 when a 5.2-magnitude quake jolted northern Tuscany, injuring one and triggering panic with crowds of people gathering on the streets. Last year, two major shakes caused 26 deaths in northern Emilia Romagna region, while in 2009 a 5.9-magnitude quake struck the central town of L'Aquila killing more than 300 people.