Italy Earthquake: New 7.1-Magnitude Tremor Strikes Near Norcia

A new strong earthquake has hit central Italy on October 30, Reuters reports citing the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and local broadcasters.

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake strikes near of Norcia, 100 miles from capital Rome.

This comes only three days after two more tremors shook the region on October 26, leaving villages partly destroyed.

There were no immediate reports on damage or casualties caused by the quake.

But local RAI TV reports that the quake was powerful enough to wake the residents of Rome, who reported walls of the buildings shaking.

Initial reports on the magnitude of the tremors varied – while USGS and Italian media talked of a 7.1-strong earthquake, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the tremor was 6.6-magnitude.

Italy’s National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks (CGR) cautioned on October 28 that more powerful earthquakes could hit the region in the nearest future, identifying at least three areas at risk for further seismic activity.

“There is no current evidence that the [seismic] sequence underway is coming to an end,” the commission warned.