Second earthquake in a week hits near Naples as fears of volcanic eruption grow
A second earthquake has hit near the city of Naples in Italy, just a week after a magnitude 4.9 quake shook the region.
The latest quake measured 3.6 on the Richter scale and was recorded at around 7:30am local time. It struck around 10 miles north of Naples.
The tremors that were felt were described as weak by residents in the area.
There have been no reports of major damage or injuries caused by this latest quake.
However, fears have been growing that the recent seismic activity is a sign that a volcanic eruption could be imminent. Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano on mainland Europe, towers over the city of Naples.
There have been studies in recent years that raise the possibility that the volcano could become active again, posing a serious threat to the population of Naples and its surroundings.
The Italian government has been monitoring the situation closely and has issued safety warnings. It has urged people in the area to be prepared for any possible emergency and to avoid travelling to areas near the mountain.