A 5.1 magnitude earthquake was felt this morning off the coast of Calabria, affecting both Italy and Malta.
Authorities noted a significant level of fear following the earthquake, with individuals reporting being awakened by the shaking. As of now, there have been no injuries or substantial damage reported.
Residents in various areas of Malta and Gozo experienced the earthquake, with locations such as Marsascala, Mġarr, Valletta, St Julian’s, Sliema, Kirkop, St Paul’s Bay, and Birkirkara being impacted.
Emergency hotlines in Italy and Malta were inundated with calls after the earthquake, although there have been no reports of injuries or damage at this time.
This event is not the first seismic activity in Calabria recently, with small tremors felt in the region on January 7 and January 6.
Domenico Costarella, the head of the Calabria Region’s Civil Protection Department, mentioned that residents felt the earthquake distinctly, but fortunately, no damage has been reported so far.
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was off the Ionian coast at a depth of 65km.
According to Times of Malta, individuals across the island were awoken by the shaking caused by the earthquake, which occurred off the southern tip of Italy just before 6 am local time. Reports of shaking have also come in from various parts of Italy and Malta.