An earthquake killed at least 15 people in northern Italy on Tuesday, damaging buildings and spreading panic among thousands of residents still living in tents after a tremor in the same region destroyed their homes just over a week ago.
Officials said several people were trapped under the rubble of houses and warehouses in the Emilia-Romagna region, where several building sites and workshops had just reopened after the previous quake on 20 May.
Civil protection officials said 15 people were confirmed dead. Seven people were killed in the 20 May quake that, like Tuesday’s, had its epicentre not far from the city of Modena.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck northern Italy. Photo: AP
Workshops and factories outside Cavezzo, a village about 30km from Modena, suffered considerable damage, a reporter said.
Sports car maker Ferrari and motorcycle firm Ducati closed their plants in the region for safety reasons.
“The situation is one of great fear and uncertainty,” said Salvatore Iannizzotto, provincial head for the Modena police.
“The population was becoming more relaxed and slowly moving back into their homes. They have now left their homes again.”
The 5.8-magnitude quake was felt across northern and central Italy, including in the most populous northern city Milan. The area was hit by several large aftershocks, one of 5.6 magnitude.
The quake was the most deadly to strike Italy since 2009 when a tremor partially destroyed the central city of L’Aquila, killing about 300 and leaving thousands homeless.
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