Milan: A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Italy today and was felt from central Florence to northeastern Trieste, the ANSA news agency reported.

The National Geophysical and Vulcanology Institute said the quake occurred at 4:25 pm (1535 GMT), ANSA said, adding that no damage or injuries were reported.

Telephone service was affected in Parma, the report said.

The epicentre was between Parma and Reggio Emilia, and rail traffic in the area was halted as a precaution.

The quake was felt in northeastern Venice as well as northwestern Genoa and central Bologna.

The earthquake institute said the epicentre was about 15 kilometers (nine miles) below ground.

Italy is criss-crossed by two fault lines, with some 20 million people at risk from earthquakes.

Source : PTI