Strong quake hits northern Italy

The quake, with a 5.1 preliminary magnitude, struck near Tuscany.

An earthquake with a 5.1 preliminary magnitude has struck northern Italy. No damage was immediately reported.

The quake struck at 12:33 pm today and was located two kilometres southwest of Fivizzano in Tuscany, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kms (six miles), was felt as far away as Milan, Verona and Florence, a radius of more than 160 kms (100 miles).

Many people in the town of Carrara near the epicentre left their houses in fear, the news agency ANSA said.