Sicily has been rocked by a very strong earthquake (5.1 magnitude) that injured dozens of people and wrecked buildings close to the active Volcano.
Several dozen people were rushed to hospital with bruising following the quake near Etna volcano at around 3.19am local time (3.19am BST) on Wensday.
The epicentre was the slopes of the erupted Etna Volcano, 2 km from Aci Castello, Province of Catania, which is home to 315,000 people.
According to initial findings from firefighters, no significant structural damage has been sustained. In Biancavilla, Santa Maria di Licodia and Adrano there were reports of collapsed old rural houses and stone walls.
Authorities received 50 requests for help after partial collapses, detachment of plasters and cornices and stability checks. Several smaller tremors were felt after Saturday’s quake, which took place in an area with high seismic activity.