7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Central Italy  

Rome, Oct 30: A massive earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, rocked the region of Umbria in central Italy on Sunday, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology confirmed.

The earthquake, with a depth of 10 km, occurred at 7.44am and destroyed several houses, Efe news reported.

However, there were no immediate reports of injuries or casualties from the region.

A basilica in Norcia, which traces back to the year 1200, has collapsed as a result of the earthquake.

In August, an earthquake of 6.2 magnitude had caused widespread damage in the country, leaving more than 300 people dead. At least 1,000 aftershocks had followed.

--IANS