The 6.0-magnitude quake struck northern Italy at 4.03am local time, at a depth of just three miles (5km). The tremor's epicentre was measured 22 miles (35km) northwest of Bologna.

An hour later, a powerful aftershock shook the same region. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 5.1-magnitude quake at 5.02am local time, at a depth of six miles (10km).

Four night-shift workers died in factory building collapses in the Emilia Romagna region, and 37-year-old German woman died near Bologna. A sixth person, a 100-year-old woman, also died during the quake.

Some 3000 people were then evacuated from their homes in the same region when a third strong quake struck later today. That quake hit at 3.18pm local time, the USGS reported, at a depth of six miles (10km).

The later tremor led to the collapse of several buildings already severely weakened by the morning's shocks. The ANSA news agency reported that a firefighter fell from a wall during the new quakes and was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Most of the injured from the initial earthquakes were from the Modena region. Hospitals in the area were evacuated as a precaution in the wake of the violent tremor.

Residents in Bologna and other cities rushed into the streets in panic during and after the quake, and telephone switchboards were flooded with calls.

Television footage showed collapsed houses and rubble on local roads. Church steeples and towers also partially collapsed across the region.

Italy's culture ministry said in a statement today that several major historic buildings were damaged during the quake. "According to first reports, damage to the cultural heritage is significant," the statement said. 

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/three-dead-50-hurt-in-italy-quake/story-e6frfkyi-1226361486130#ixzz1vSOUiSiv

RADIATION TRACKER FOR THE USA n CANADA

use the links below to monitor radiation, (as well as rough dosage charts) — use the other link to monitor the jet stream / storms off the west coast soon to be coming to the US:

http://sincedutch.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/4252012-radiation-monitoring-links/

Jet stream, and weather monitoring links:
http://sincedutch.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/2122012-weather-monitoring-links-satellite-and-radar-for-usa-and-world/

The time has come when hate in your heart makes you the enemy of all