CERIGNALE – An earthquake occurred at 11:42 a.m. on Thursday morning in the province of Piacenza and was felt in different parts of Emilia Romagna and Lombardy, including Milan, and as far up as Liguria, with an estimated magnitude of 4.2, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). There were no collapses apart from a few fallen ledges, and there were no injuries or casualties. 

  "It was like an explosion, like a cannon shot", said Massimo Castelli, Mayor of Cerignale, "but fortunately we are all well," as quoted in Il Fatto Quotidiano. Mr. Castelli also revealed that the shock caused him and others to go outside, with the virus and the government's lockdown measures forgotten by necessity, reports Corriere Della Sera.

  Reports came in that people felt the tremors across the province of Piacenza, including Val D'Arda and Val Tidone, and also from the provinces of Pavia and Parma, reports La Repubblica.

  Piacenza has been defined as an area of ​​medium seismic hazard, and strong earthquakes have not been recorded there before.

  The most impactful seismic event in the area occurred on Dec. 23 1980, one month after the Irpinia earthquake, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano.

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