A 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit the waters off Calabria this morning, affecting both Italy and Malta. Authorities noted widespread fear and residents reported being jolted awake. Fortunately, there have been no injuries or significant damage reported so far.
Reports from local news sites indicated that people in Malta and Gozo felt the quake, with residents in various areas such as Marsascala, Mġarr, Valletta, and others being awakened from their sleep. Emergency hotlines in both Italy and Malta were inundated with calls following the earthquake, although there have been no reports of harm or destruction.
This recent seismic event is not the first to rock Calabria, with earlier tremors occurring on January 6 and 7 in different parts of the region. Domenico Costarella, head of the Calabria Region’s Civil Protection Department, stated that the quake was distinctly felt by residents but thankfully caused no damage. According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the earthquake’s epicenter was off the Ionian coast at a depth of 65km.
The earthquake took place off the southern tip of Italy just before 6 am local time today, leading to reports of shaking in various regions of both Italy and Malta. Times of Malta reported that individuals across the island were roused from sleep by the tremors.