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Summary Authorities reported no injuries or major damage.
A strong earthquake has rocked a rural part of southern Italy, sending panicked residents into the streets in the middle of the night.Authorities reported no injuries or major damage.The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 5.3. The temblor struck at 1:05 a.m. Friday (23:05 GMT Thursday), rattling small towns in northern Calabria and southern Basilicata, in an area which includes Pollino national park. Some houses suffered cracks.Local authorities said a hospital was evacuated as a precaution. Some mayors ordered schools to be closed so experts could inspect for any damage.The area is prone to earthquakes. Seismologist Rita Di Giovambattista told Sky TG24 TV that a series of much smaller tremors has rattled the area since 2010.
