Italy rocked by two more earthquakes

Two powerful earthquakes struck central Italy last night, about 50 miles north of the site of a deadly quake that claimed 300 lives in August. Several people were injured, but no deaths have been reported.

The first quake, measuring magnitude-5.5, struck at 7pm local time near Visso. The second quake, measuring 6.1, occurred two hours later, and "could be felt strongly in Rome", more than 150 miles away.

The tremors caused severe damage to buildings in the area, particularly in the small town of Ussita.

Marco Rinaldi, its mayor, described scenes of chaos among panicked residents.

"It was a very strong earthquake, apocalyptic. Many houses have collapsed. Our town is finished," he said.

The town of Camerino also suffered significant damage. "Everyone is leaving Camerino by foot or car to seek safety," one witness told the BBC. "Two churches are destroyed and many houses [have] fallen."