Earthquake hits Rome

Reverend Rudy

ROME, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A small earthquake shook Rome and nearby coastal towns on Monday, briefly sparking panic throughout the region and killing an elderly man who was knocked off a ladder by the tremor, officials said.

Residents and workers throughout Rome fled their homes. (AP/File)

The earthquake had a magnitude of 4.5 and the epicentre was under the sea bed southwest of Rome near the coastal town of Anzio, Italy's National Geographic Institute said.

"For the region, it was pretty big and terrified a lot of people," institute president Enzo Boschi said.

Residents and workers throughout Rome fled their homes and offices as buildings in the Italian capital shook for around five seconds shortly after 2 p.m. (1200 GMT).

No injuries or damages were initially reported in Rome, but further south in the town of Ardea an elderly man slipped off a ladder and died, local authorities said.

Holidaymakers in Anzio and along the coast were seized by panic when the quake hit, pouring out of hotels and into the streets.

"It felt very strong, my legs are still shaking," Valentina, an employee at Anzio city hall, told Reuters.

The Geographic Institute's Boschi said: "Our hotlines have been flooded. Everybody is only thinking about a tsunami, even if an earthquake would have to be a lot stronger to cause a tsunami."

The Indian Ocean quake that triggered a tsunami on Dec. 26 last year was the biggest in 40 years and left more than 230,000 people dead or missing.

In 2002, an earthquake in central Italy flattened a school, killing 29 and wiping out almost an entire generation of six- and seven-year-olds in the small town of San Giuliano di Puglia.

Miakal

Rudy, what about the Pope?

AudioSavior

Do you ahve any family there Narc?

Erin

Monk's First Lady

I wonder if Stromboli, Vesuvius or Edna are about to erupt! All are long overdue for an eruption! There are so many in Italy though, it could be any of them. Anyone living on that central Mediterranean plate better be ready for some more action.

Mr. Kennedy

At least it was only a mild earthquake, only 1 person died. I've never been in an earthquake but I can imagine how terrifying it must feel.

Visit and shop for video games at my Amazon-based store, also get discounted HD DVDs while they last.

Chewy

Ive been in a couple Earthquakes before, Both of them where the after shocks of Seattles. Its weird because when they hit its already over before you figure out what the f*ck happend lol.

Reverend Rudy

The Pope is fine Brother Miakal and stop calling me narc Brother Kal El. Im not him.

Miakal

Narc was an idiot!

Rudy is divine!

Reverend Rudy

Thanx Brother Miakal. Theres definetely a spot for you in my heart.
:miakal:

AudioSavior

Reverend Rudy
The IP Address is: 69.192.9.22. The host name is: CPE001109777689-CM001404588b68.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com.

Narc
The IP Address is: 69.192.9.21. The host name is: CPE0080c8df4376-CM001404588b68.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com.