A tsunami alert has been issued in Italy after a series of tremors were detected off the southern tip of the country.
At least 12 quakes were recorded with magnitudes of up to 5.0 near Sicily on Friday, prompting authorities to issue an orange-level alert.
Schools in Palermo and Messina have been evacuated as a precaution, while the head of the Sicilian Civil Protection, Salvo Cocina, ordered an immediate state of alert for the affected areas.
The epicentre was less than 60 miles from Palermo, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology.
Locals reported feeling tremors in Palermo, Patti, Licata, Capo dʿOrlando and Campofelice di Roccella.
'We are closely monitoring the evolving situation,' said Palermo Mayor Lagalla, adding that he was 'in constant contact with all relevant authorities.'
Mr Cocina urged locals to stay away from the sea and follow instructions from relevant authorities.
There have been no reports of damage at the time of wiriting.
A Tsunami alert has been issued off the coast of Italy
Tremors were felt on the island of Sicily
The warning comes just months after a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck Naples.
The Italian city was hit by power cuts and falling boulders in August following the quake.
The tremor was centred at the Campi Flegrei area, which is the site of Europe's largest volcanic crater.
The earthquake was one of the strongest ever recorded in the area and saw residents rushing out into the street as the tremors hit.
This is a breaking news story; more to follow.
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