A 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Italy, with its epicenter located just four miles from the historic city of Pisa. The quake occurred around 10.15am local time in northern Tuscany, affecting areas such as Lucca, Pisa, and Massa-Carrara.
According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the epicenter was near San Piero a Grado, about seven kilometers from Pisa, at a relatively shallow depth of approximately eight kilometers. This shallow depth contributed to the widespread tremors felt across northern Tuscany.
Tuscany regional governor Eugenio Giani mentioned on social media that checks were ongoing with the regional emergency system due to the earthquake being felt throughout the region. A second tremor occurred at 1.04pm, registering a magnitude of 3.2, with its epicenter approximately five kilometers from Pisa at a depth of 11 kilometers.
Following the initial earthquake, undersecretary Bernard Dika of the Tuscany Region reported on social media that hundreds of calls were made to the regional emergency number 112. Precautionary evacuations were being carried out, and no injuries were reported at the time.
Local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino stated that three families were evacuated from a building in San Giuliano Terme due to structural instability caused by the earthquake. The residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure for further technical inspections by firefighters.
Train services in Pisa were temporarily suspended as a safety measure for about four hours. In response to the earthquake, residents took to the streets as a precaution, and court hearings at the local courthouse were halted. However, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and other historical sites in Piazza dei Miracoli were not impacted.
Firefighters in Pisa received numerous calls post-earthquake, prompting evacuations at the city hall and suspension of court proceedings. Once inspections were completed, residents and employees were allowed back into the buildings.