Many Italians were awakened in the middle of the night as the capital was shaken by an earthquake. This came several days after the government began easing quarantine rules, following nearly two months of a nationwide lockdown.
A 3.3-magnitude earthquake struck shortly after 5am local time. Its epicenter was located near the town of Fonte Nuova, around 15km (9.3 miles) from Rome. However, the tremors were felt by many in the capital.
Although emergency response officials did not record any casualties or damage, frightened residents flocked to social media to describe how they were awakened by the sudden quakes, which were “brief, but intense” one person said.
Others responded with a bit of dark humor, alluding to the fact that the earthquake appeared amid the raging Covid-19 pandemic, with Italy being among the hardest-hit nations.
“2020 is like the Hunger Games: whoever makes it out alive on December 31 wins,” a Twitter user joked.
Also on rt.com Milan branded a ticking Covid-19 time 'BOMB' by Italian virologist as people flout precautions after lockdown eased“When 2020 thinks you are relaxing too much and occasionally reminds you that the world is destroying itself,” another person wrote.
“We missed the earthquake, but when will 2020 end?” one commenter quipped.
Italy began gradually relaxing its quarantine restrictions last week after nearly two months of a nationwide lockdown, as more businesses were allowed to resume work, while maintaining safety protocols and distancing rules.
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