MILAN : A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck the Tyrrhenian Sea off the west coast of Italy on Tuesday, according to the German Geoscience Research Center (GFZ).

The offshore quake was recorded at a moderate depth under the sea and was felt in several coastal areas, including parts of southern Italy and nearby islands. Local residents reported brief tremors in some areas and urged people to leave their homes as a precaution.

However, rescue officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant structural damage. Italy’s Civil Protection Agency and the Earthquake Monitoring Center continue to assess the situation and monitor the area for possible aftershocks.

Seismologists explained that the interaction of the African and Eurasian plates causes frequent seismic activity in the Mediterranean region. This geological movement creates stresses along fault lines, which in some cases lead to earthquakes on land or underwater.

Although the quake occurred offshore, experts said they were closely monitoring such events because stronger undersea earthquakes could trigger smaller tsunamis. Officials confirmed that no tsunami warning had been issued and the situation remained under monitoring.

Italy is considered one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe, and several historic earthquakes have been recorded in recent decades. Disaster teams remain on standby as scientists continue to study seismic activity in the region.

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