An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 hit near the southern Italian city of Naples early on Thursday, damaging buildings and causing locals to flee into the streets. The earthquake occurred at 1:25 a.m. (0025 GMT) with its epicentre near the coastal town of Pozzuoli,

Power outages were reported in parts of Naples, and many families chose to remain outdoors or in their vehicles overnight, fearing further tremors.

ROME: A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck the volcanic area around Naples overnight, causing several light injuries, damaging buildings and sending terrified residents into the streets, officials said on Thursday.

Residents described a "loud roar" coming from the ground during the earthquake. As per reports, the jolt was followed by two aftershocks and power supply in parts of Naples was also disrupted.

Pictures have shown the damage caused by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake which struck Naples early on Thursday, among the strongest in the area in recent history. The quake sent 11 people to the hospital, the most serious of whom suffered concussion after part of a ceiling collapsed on them, officials said.

The quake struck at 01:25 local time (00:25 GMT), registering a magnitude of 4.4 according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). The epicenter was located near the coastal town of Pozzuoli,