| Magnitude 5.8 Earthquake Kills at Least 9 in Northern Italy Italy was struck by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in the northern region of Emilia Romagna, the second this month, that may have killed at least nine people. San Felice del Panaro The temblor, which came after one of a similar magnitude killed seven people on May 20, hit the province of Modena at 9 am local time, the Civil Protection Agency said on its website. The quake was felt throughout northern Italy, including the financial capital Milan, where some buildings and schools were evacuated, and the lagoon city of Venice. Some train lines in the impacted areas were suspended to check the stability of the infrastructure, while other trains are travelling at lower speeds, Ferrovie Dello Stato SpA said in a statement. The Italian government "will do everything necessary to respond" to the emergency," Prime Minister Mario Monti said in remarks broadcast by SkyTG24. "Emilia Romagna won't be left alone," said Vasco Errani, head of the regional government, who was meeting with Monti in Rome when today's earthquake struck. Two of today's victims were in San Felice sul Panaro, where three towers of the town's 15th-century castle collapsed in the May 20 quake, Ansa reported. Two factories in the towns of Mirandola and Medolla were reduced to rubble, and rescuers are digging in the area, Ansa said. |
