No Greeks injured in Italy quakes, embassy assures

The Greek Embassy in Rome has posted a message on its Facebook page assuring the public that there have been no reports of Greeks being among the dozens of people injured in a series of earthquakes on Wednesday night in central Italy.

The first tremor measured magnitude 5.4, causing many people to flee their homes and the second was stronger at a magnitude of 6.1, Reuters reported. A 4.9 aftershock came a couple hours after that, and dozens of weaker ones followed.

The quakes caused panic and fear among residents, coming just two months after a quake nearby killed hundreds. No one was killed but dozens of people have sustained minor injuries and about four others more serious ones, Italy's Civil Protection Agency was quoted by Reuters as saying.

The Greek Embassy also assured Greek students studying in the area, and particularly in the university of town of Camerino, that if they would like to return to Greece but do not have access to their identification papers because of the quake, they can lodge a request with their local police station, which will inform the Greek Honorary Consulate at the port of Ancona of their plans.

For more information or instructions, Greeks in the quake-struck region are encouraged to call (+39) 071.207.4567 or e-mail [email protected].