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Monday 6 April 2009

Powerful earthquake strikes Italy

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 has struck central Italy. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake struck at 0332 (0132GMT) about 95km (60 miles) north-east of the capital, Rome, at a depth of 10km.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but Italian media reports said some buildings had collapsed in the city of L'Aquila. People were feared trapped in one house, Italian news agency ANSA said, and rescue workers were at the scene.

The earthquake was also felt in Rome; the BBC correspondent there said he was woken up by the shaking. An aftershock with a magnitude of 4.8 was reported about an hour later by the US agency.

Two smaller earthquakes struck the same region of Italy on Sunday but caused no damage. Powerful earthquakes are relatively rare in Italy. In 1997, 13 people died when a strong earthquake struck its central region. (Source: BBC News)