Ischia earthquake: Buildings collapse off Italian coast

  • The popular tourist island of Ischia, near Naples, Italy, was hit by an earthquake
  • It measured 3.6 on the Ritcher scale and has caused several buildings to collapse
  • Cars and a church have been ruined and it people are believed to still be missing

A woman has died and 20 people have been injured after an earthquake rocked a volcanic island just off the coast of Italy.

The earthquake, which measured 3.6 on the Richter scale, hit the tourist spot of Ischia, near Naples, on Monday evening.

It caused several buildings to collapse before residents and tourists ran out on to the busy streets. 

A car was ruined following the earthquake which rocked the popular tourist island off the coast of Naples 

This is one of the buildings which collapsed following the earthquake which rocked the island

This is one of the buildings which collapsed following the earthquake which rocked the island

Footage and pictures showed around six buildings – as well as a church – in the town of Casamicciola had collapsed.

Italian publication ANSA reported a woman had died following the building and several people remain missing, while others are injured.   

There were reports of a number of people injured in the quake, which took place at the height of the summer tourist season. The island’s hospital was evacuated. 

Police and firefighters rushed to the scene after buildings in the town started to fall to the ground.

ANSA reported: ‘There were moments of fear because the earth trembled all over the island.

‘In the houses there were fallen objects, furniture and in shops the goods fell off the shelves. Everyone in the street flocked to shops and restaurants.’

A number of buildings on the island were ruined and collapsed after the earthquake on Monday

A number of buildings on the island were ruined and collapsed after the earthquake on Monday

Houses and buildings were reduced to rubble following the earthquake, which measured 3.6 on the Richter scale 

Houses and buildings were reduced to rubble following the earthquake, which measured 3.6 on the Richter scale 

Buildings were damaged and some collapsed after the earthquake hit the island which is popular with tourists 

Buildings were damaged and some collapsed after the earthquake hit the island which is popular with tourists 

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