A 4.9 magnitude earthquake shook central Italy, with its epicenter in the Marradi area in the province of Florence, within the region of Tuscany. The tremor was felt across nearby regions including Emilia Romagna and Marche, triggering fear among residents who quickly left buildings, yet authorities reported no injuries or serious structural damage at the time.
The event was recorded by the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), which estimated the quake occurred at 05:10 local time (04:10 UTC). The strongest shaking was reported in Florence and throughout Tuscany, followed by aftershocks of lesser intensity.
The Florence Civil Protection agency reported no damage to people or property up to that point. Nearby municipalities such as Borgo San Lorenzo, Firenzuola, and Palazzuolo sul Senio took precautionary measures, including the temporary closure of a number of schools as a safety precaution while checks were conducted.
In the wake of the initial tremor, firefighters in the Forlì-Cesena province reported a high volume of calls from frightened residents. Crews noted ongoing checks to identify any cracks in private homes, but early assessments indicated that there was no reported damage or injuries linked to the event, and similar assessments were carried out across Tuscany with Marradi as the epicenter.
Officials from the civil protection apparatus stressed that the situation did not present an extraordinary hazard. A spokesperson for the Civil Protection authorities noted that inspections would continue through the morning to confirm the safety of buildings and infrastructure, and to ensure that residents remained informed about any developments.
Rail service experienced the only notable disruption linked to the tremor. The regional line between Pontassieve and Borgo San Lorenzo and the Florence to Faenza corridor were temporarily suspended while track safety checks proceeded. High speed services were redirected to alternate routes to maintain service reliability.
The zone around Marradi is recognized for its significant seismic risk. INGV recalled that the Mugello area, north of Florence and within the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, has experienced powerful earthquakes in the past. Notably, events in 1542 and 1919 reached magnitudes around 6.4, while the 13 June quake was estimated at magnitude 6.0. These historical events underscore the ongoing importance of vigilance and preparedness in the region.