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,

Many people in and around the Italian city spend the night on the streets and in their cars, fearing aftershocks.

Some left their homes for the streets and even stayed in their vehicles overnight after the quake hit at around 1.25am, causing minor damage and forcing 11 people to go to hospital.

Residents of Naples and its surrounding areas abandoned their homes and camped out in parks and cars after a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the Italian city early Thursday morning, rattling nerves after weeks of intense seismic activity.

The southern Italian city of Naples was struck by a 4.4-magnitude quake early Thursday that caused only minor damage and sent 11 people to hospital, officials said.

Residents in Naples and nearby towns spent a tense night in the open early on Thursday (March 13) after an overnight earthquake jolted southern Italy, shaking buildings, cutting power, and sending frightened locals onto the streets.

The quake was the strongest in recorded history around the Phlegrean Fields, a sprawling area of ancient volcanoes that encompasses a large part of the Naples metropolitan area.