An earthquake with a 5.1 preliminary magnitude has struck northern Italy. No damage was immediately reported.

The quake struck at 12.33pm today and was located two kilometres southwest of Fivizzano in Tuscany, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kms, was felt as far away as Milan, Verona and Florence, a radius of more than 160 kms.

Many people in the town of Carrara near the epicentre left their houses in fear, the news agency ANSA said.

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