A moderate earthquake shook central Italy, causing panic among many residents but no injuries, the Civil Defence Department said today.
The five magnitude tremor struck at 11.45 pm last night about 19 miles south of Bologna and was felt throughout central Italy.
Many residents ran out of their homes during the quake, but no injuries have been reported.
Last October, Italy was struck by a 5.4 magnitude quake that killed 30 people, including 27 children in a school.