CATANIA, Italy—An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 hit an area north of Catania on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily on Dec. 26, damaging buildings and injuring about 30 people, officials said.
It occurred two days after an eruption at Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano, sent a huge column of ash into the sky and caused the temporary closure of Catania airport on Sicily’s eastern coast.
The earthquake hit at 3:19 a.m. local time, prompting many people to run out of their homes and sleep in their cars. It was felt strongly because its epicenter was a relatively shallow one kilometer (0.62 miles) deep, according to officials.
About 30 people were injured, 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.
Television footage showed damage to older buildings in the towns of Santa Venerina and Zafferana Etnea. Several of the area’s centuries-old churches, which were empty at the time, appeared to sustain the most damage. Local media said cracks have opened in the Catania-Messina motorway, and a section of it has been closed as a precaution.
“It’s a miracle we are alive,” said the father.
