A 4.8 magnitude earthquake shakes Sicily

A 4.8-magnitude earthquake has hit Sicily around Europe's most active volcano Mount Etna, Italian media report. Some buildings were reportedly damaged in what was the latest in dozens of tremors since Etna erupted on Monday.

It hit two days after Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano, erupted, sending a huge column of ash into the sky and causing the temporary closure of Catania airport on Sicily’s eastern coast.

People on the mountainside were told to escape quickly. The earthquake struck at 03:19 local time (02:19 GMT) on Wednesday near the municipality of Viagrande.

Pictures of damaged buildings have been posted on social media. Italian media report panic among local residents, many of whom ran out into the streets. There were also reports of buildings shaking in Catania, a city of more than 300,000 people.

Television footage showed damage to older buildings in the towns of Santa Venerina and Zafferana Etnea. At least four people suffered slight injuries from falling masonry as they fled from the homes, officials said.