Italy Earthquake: 5.2 Magnitude in Northern Part, Causes Minor Damage

Italy earthquake with a 5.2 preliminary magnitude struck at midday Friday in a mountainous region near the Tuscan coast between the provinces of Massa e Carrara and Lucca. No one was harmed and minor damage has been reported.

Italy's Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said the earthquake occurred at 12:33 p.m. local time leading many schools to evacuate, Reuters reports. According to local authorities in Tuscany, where the epicenter was located, various buildings partially collapsed and some roofs caved in.

The earthquake was felt in Milan, the largest city in northern Italy, and as far north as the Friuli region near the border with Slovenia.

According to the report, aftershocks of the earthquake in Italy continued to rock the area, some as strong as magnitude 4.0, officials said, adding that residents in some rural areas were advised to stay out of their homes for the time being.

The last major earthquake to have struck Italy occured in May last year in the central Emilia Romagna region. That quake measured 6.0 magnitude and killed more than 20 people, destroyed historic buildings and caused widespread damage to local industries.

Italian local news agency ANSA report many residents in the town of Carrara near the epicenter left their houses in fear, but that there were no immediate signs of damage.