Northern Italy struck by 5.8 magnitude earthquake

Northern Italy has been struck by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, killing 15 people, just 10 days after a 6.0 magnitude quake killed seven people and destroyed dozens of castles, churches and other buildings in the same region.

San Felice sul Panaro after the the earthquke: Buildings collapsed in Finale Emilia and San Felice sul Panaro, two of the towns which were badly hit by the first quake

Ten people were killed in the earthquake, the Italian TV channel Sky reported.

The quake was felt throughout northern and central Italy, including Milan and Florence.

It struck about 25 miles north of Bologna in the Emilia Romagna region, at a depth of six miles.

There are reports that buildings have been damaged in towns which were already reeling from the earthquake of May 20.

The epicentre of Tuesday's earthquake was the town of Medolla, near the city of Modena.

Buildings collapsed in Finale Emilia and San Felice sul Panaro, two of the towns which were badly hit by the first quake.

Dozens of shops and businesses were evacuated in nearby Bologna, according to Corriere della Sera's website.

The police and fire service were inundated with calls from worried residents.

Firemen and emergency officials from the Civil Protection Agency are trying to assess the damage and verify whether anyone has been hurt.

"Everything was shaking, we ran out into the streets. The roads are now blocked by people trying to flee the centre in case there's an aftershock," Corriere della Sera reporter Elvira Serra said from the small town of Cento.

Historic chapels, churches and buildings damaged in the first quake crumbled to the ground as panicked citizens joined those already camping out in blue tent camps set up in parks and school playgrounds after the last quake.

"Last night was the first night we'd spent back in our homes after the first quake. Then another one hit," one resident told SKY TG24 television in Sant'Agostino, scattered with buildings with gaping holes in their sides.

Several victims were workers crushed when factories collapsed, while a parish priest in the town of Rovereto di Novi was killed by a falling beam, reportedly after he went back into his church to save a Madonna statue.

In San Felice del Panaro, the dead were identified as Italian, Moroccan and Indian factory workers. "I don't think we are safe, the factory has completely collapsed," a fellow Indian worker told AFP as he called on Allah for help.

Dust filled the air in the picturesque towns of Carpi and Concordia, while in Mirandola rubble covered the Duomo floor and the roof gaped open to the sky.

In Mantua, the Ducal Palace - famous for a stunning collection of frescoes in the Wedding Room - was damaged, along with a number of historic churches.

"A new quake has hit the Emilia Romagna region, leaving victims, wounded people and damaged buildings in its wake," Prime Minister Mario Monti said earlier on Tuesday in a televised address from Rome.

"I send the government's condolences to the families of the victims and call on all citizens to have faith. I'm sure we'll get over this moment," he said.