Tremor shakes central Italy

Scurcola Marsicana

 ROME- Many residents were stricken with panic as tremors of a magnitude 3.7 caused the earth to rock in the countryside near Aquila, Sunday night. The movement is reported to have been felt as far away as Rome but caused no damage.

 The epicentre of the so called "quake" was the town of Scurcola Marsicana, in the Marsica commune and occurred at 21:58 Sunday night. Residents are said to have rushed out of their houses into the street as they felt safer there. Some people even decided to spend the night outside, for fear of further tremors and danger. So far no damage to people or property has been recorded.

 Many residents apparently phoned the fire brigade who kept the situation under control. Schools remain closed, Monday, in several of the nearby towns as a precaution, on what would have been the first day of the school year, in case there are further shockwaves.

 The towns closest to the epicenter are Scurcola Marsicana (3km away), Magliano de' Marsi  (4km), Tagliacozzo (6km). It was also felt in Aqulia, the province of Rieti and on the outskirts of Rome and in the Lazio region. 

 This comes just a week after tremors were felt in the Campotosto area. 

ES