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A series of strong earthquakes have hit Italy shaking Rome's World heritage ancient buildings including the Colosseum and Pantheon.

Three quakes were felt, several hours apart, across a wide central area of the country.

The first tremor was a 5.4 on the Richter scale, the second 6.1 and the third 4.9, according to the United States Geological Society

(Image: USGS) (Image: EPA/MATTEO CROCCHIONI) (Image: EPA/MATTEO CROCCHIONI)

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The earthquakes struck near the border between the regions of Marche and Umbria, but the epicentre is still unclear.

They was also felt in Rome where local media reported some of Rome's ancient structures were shaken.

The tremors could be felt as far afield as Bologna.

(Image: Twitter)

(Image: Twitter)

The Mayor of the town of Ussita, Marco Rinaldi, said: "It was a very strong earthquake, apocalyptic.

"People are screaming on the street and now we are without lights.

"Many houses have collapsed. Our town is finished.'

Mr Rinaldi said: "The second quake was a long, terrible one."

The Vatican, which lies within the boundaries of Rome, is the centre of the Catholic faith and home to some of the world's most important religious buildings, including the beautiful Sistine Chapel.

Some of Rome's ancient structures are in an extremely fragile state so the danger of damage is high from any tremor.

(Image: Rex)

It comes after an 6.2 magnitude quake hit central Italy in August claiming nearly 300 lives and leaving another 400 people injured.

Amatrice, the home of "amatriciana" pasta sauce, was destroyed by the quake on August 24.