Magnitude 6.1 quake rattles Rome and central Italy
Buildings felled near Rieti, northeast of the Italian capital, in overnight temblor; casualties expected
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ROME — A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck central Italy early Wednesday, with reports of damaged buildings and blackouts near the epicenter Rieti and residents fleeing their homes and running into the streets.
The quake struck just after 3:30 a.m. and was felt across a broad section of central Italy, including the capital Rome, some 115 kilometers (70 miles) away, where people in homes in the historic center felt a long swaying followed by aftershocks, including one that measured 5.5 magnitude.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Center put the magnitude at 6.1 and said the epicenter was northeast of Rome, near Rieti. The US Geological Survey put the magnitude at 6.2.
There were no immediate reports of casualties, but authorities say deaths are likely.
Sergio Perozzi, the mayor of Amatrice, a town near Rieti with some 2,700 residents, told state-run RAI radio that there were downed buildings in the city center and that the lights had gone out. He said he was unable to get in touch with emergency responders or reach the hospital.
“What can I tell you? It’s a drama,” he said. “The town doesn’t exist anymore.”
In 2009, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the same region and killed more than 300 people. The earlier earthquake struck L’Aquila in central Italy, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of the latest quake.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.