Sicily earthquake: 4.8-magnitude quake hits near Mount Etna causing injuries and damage

Around 30 people have been injured

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 has hit Sicily causing damage to buildings and injuring around 30 people.

It hit the area north of Catania on the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, in the early hours of Wednesday.

The earthquake occurred just two days after Etna erupted, sending a huge column of volcanic ash into the sky.

The eruption also led to the closure of Catania airport on Sicily’s eastern coast.

The earthquake struck at 3.19am local time (2.19am GMT), prompting frightened residents to flee their homes and sleep in their cars.

It damaged some rural homes, including structures that had been abandoned years ago, and toppled a statue in a church in the town of Santa Venerina. It also opened up cracks on a road, which was closed for inspection.

The Italian news agency ANSA said an 80-year-old man was pulled from the rubble of a house.

Around 30 people suffered injuries, mostly from falling masonry as they fled from their homes, officials said.

A woman told state radio that a heavy wardrobe in her home had toppled over, trapping her sister, who was then pulled out to safety by her father. In another house, a ceiling collapsed.

Vito Crimi, government undersecretary, said: “Etna remains a dangerous volcano, and this country of ours is unfortunately fragile.”

TV footage showed damage to older buildings in Santa Venerina and nearby town Zafferana Etnea.

Italian officials said the quake was part of a series of some 1,000 tremors linked to Etna’s ongoing eruption this week.

With additional reporting by Reuters and AP