Sicily damaged by magnitude-4.8 earthquake

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A magnitude-4.8 earthquake hit an area north of Catania on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily early on Wednesday, damaging buildings and injuring about 30 people, officials said.

It occurred two days after the eruption of the Volcano Etna. The earthquake hit at 3:19 a.m. (0219 GMT), prompting many people to run out of their homes and sleep in cars. It was felt strongly because its epicenter was a relatively shallow one kilometer deep, according to officials.

Television footage showed damage to older buildings in the towns of Santa Venerina and Zafferana Etnea. Several of the area's centuries-old churches appeared to suffer the most damage. They were empty at the time of the quake.

Smoke rises from Mount Etna as seen at sunset from the city of Giarre, Catania, December 26, 2018. /VCG Photo

About 30 people suffered injuries, mostly from falling masonry as they fled from their homes, officials said. About 10 were taken to hospital by ambulances, the others were taken by friends and family members. None of the injuries were serious.

Earlier on Monday, Europe's highest and most active volcano, Italy's Mount Etna erupted, sending a huge column of ash into the sky and causing the closure of Catania airport on Sicily's eastern coast.

The 3,330-meter high volcano can burst into spectacular action several times a year, spewing lava and ash high over the Mediterranean island. The last major eruption was in 1992.

(Cover photo: A civil defense worker stands next to residents in front of a damaged building in Zafferana Etnea near Catania after the earthquake, December 26, 2018. /VCG Photo )

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Source(s): Reuters