5.4-magnitude earthquake rattles central Italy, Rome

Centuries-old buildings shake in capital, two months after devastating quake destroyed Amatrice and nearby towns

By ToI Staff and Agencies 26 October 2016, 8:59 pm

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An August 26, 2016 picture shows rubble and debris of destroyed house in the damaged village of Saletta, three days after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the region killing some 281 people. (AFP Photo/Mario Laporta)

A strong earthquake was felt in Rome on Wednesday, just two months after a powerful temblor toppled villages in central Italy, killing nearly 300 people.

There were no immediate reports of damage, but the quake shook centuries-old palazzi in Rome’s historic center.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was 5.4 on the Richter Scale and its epicenter was 107 kilometers (66 miles) from Rome, near Visso.

The August 24 quake destroyed hilltop village of Amatrice and other nearby towns. It killed 297 people and injured hundreds more.

Around two-thirds of the deaths occurred in Amatrice, a popular tourist destination. The area was packed with holiday-makers when the quake struck, at the height of the summer season.

The Amatrice quake struck an area only 50 kilometers from the city of L’Aquila, which was hit by a 2009 earthquake in which more than 300 people perished.