Mild earthquake hits near Rome: institute

By : AFP

Date: 24 June 2019 1:15pm WAT

This photo taken and handout on June 16, 2019 by Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (C) wearing a safety helmet visiting the cathedral of Camerino as part of a visit to the areas affected by the August 24, 2016 earthquake in the diocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche. (Photo by Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ---

A 3.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Rome on Sunday evening, the Italian geophysics institute said, with local media reporting it caused no damage.

The epicentre of the quake was near Colonna, a small city around 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of Rome.

There was no noticeable damage or injuries from the tremor, local media said citing the civil protection service and witnesses.
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Many residents of Colonna and surrounding areas did leave their homes after the quake hit at 8:43 pm (1943 GMT).

It was at a shallow nine kilometres deep which explains why the quake was felt even though it was of moderate magnitude, experts told the Agi news agency.

Rome is not directly situated in a zone of strong seismic activity, but stronger earthquakes in the neighbouring Abruzzi region have often been felt in the Italian capital.

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