Minor earthquake hits southern Rome

On the afternoon of 9 July the south of Rome experienced a minor earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Rome. The quake struck just before 17.15 at a depth of about 10 km and was felt across the Castelli Romani, EUR and Casalina. Its epicentre was in the Monte Compatri area between the districts of Laghetto and Pantano. It was also felt as far south as Velletri, arriving just two days before local authorities present their earthquake evacuation plan. Although the tremor caused many south Rome residents to run out onto the streets there were no reports of injuries or structural damage. The relatively small earthquake in Rome follows two major earthquakes in Italy's northern Emilia Romagna region that resulted in 26 deaths and widespread damage in May.