Earthquake near Naples shakes much of southern Italy; no immediate damage reports

ROME – An earthquake has rattled much of southern Italy, sending frightened people into the streets of Naples and in towns in the countryside.

Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said Sunday's quake at 6:08 p.m. (1708 GMT) had a magnitude of 4.9 and struck some 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) underground. Its epicenter was northeast of Naples between the towns of Caserta and Benevento.

A 4.9 magnitude quake can do considerable damage. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The Italian news agency LaPresse said the earth shook as far away as Puglia, in the southeastern heel of the boot-shaped peninsula as well as in Naples.

News reports said people in Naples, which suffered a devastating quake in 1980, ran into the streets out of fear.