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An early morning earthquake tore through northern Italy, damaging homes and ancient buildings and killing at least six, including a 100-year-old lady.

The magnitude 6 quake occurred at 4:05 am on Sunday. It lasted about a minute, and a second tremor took place one hour later. The epicenter was about 35 kilometers north of the city of Bologna, and many cities in Italy could detect the quake.

Italian TV reported that at least six died in the earthquake, and about 50 were injured. Four people were killed when a factory building collapsed on them during the night shift. Two women, including one aged 100, died of panic in Sant' Agostino.

Several Chinese were lightly injured by the quake, said the Chinese consulate general in Milan. And it warned that all Chinese students and businesspersons in Italy should be on high alert about their safety.

Local officials said flights, traffic and electricity supply have not been affected by the quake. The area is an important industrial zone and is densely populated.

Rescue is under way, and it is possible that more dead and injured will be found in the rubble

Italian TV Sky also reported that a 15th-century castle was severely damaged in San Felice sul Panaro. In Finale Emilia, a bell tower collapsed, crushing cars, and in Buona compra, a historic church was destroyed.

A China Daily journalist was traveling with a group of international journalists in Padova, a city 100 kilometers away from the epicenter, when the quake occurred. The 10-story hotel began to shake for about one minute, and the second tremor at around 5am was also felt.

Nearly half of the guests ran out of the building, although the hotel did not organize the evacuation.

BBC said northern Italy is frequently rocked by minor earthquakes, but the country is well prepared to deal with them.

In January, a magnitude 5.3 quake hit northern Italy but caused no injuries. The last major quake to hit the country killed nearly 300 people in the central town of L'Aquila in 2009.

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Emily Cheng is an editor at China Daily. She was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in Media, English Literature and Politics. She has worked in the media industry since starting university and this is the third time she has settled abroad - she interned with a magazine in Hong Kong 2007 and studied at the University of Leeds in 2009.