A strong earthquake hit Catania during the night, Italian media report. The 4.8 magnitude tremor hit at 3.18am, with the Italian geophysical institute measuring it as just one kilometre beneath the surface. The epicentre was located at Viagrande and Trecastagni. Many Sicilians rushed out of their homes after the earthquake struck. Four persons are reported to have been injured, including nn 80-year-old man whose residence collapsed.

Damages to buildings were also reported, including a church in the village of Fleri, where two other persons were slightly hurt by falling debris. The earthquake was also felt in the area of Taormina, Ragusa and Syracuse, according to Ansa. Part of the Catania-Messina highway has been closed to traffic. The Italian news agency reports that there were at least 10 tremors in the area overnight.