Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Quake shakes G8 summit venue in Italy

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-04 14:11

ROME: A strong tremor struck L'Aquila, the Italian town that will host next week's G8 summit of world leaders, on Friday, shaking buildings, setting off car alarms and startling residents who lived through April's deadly quake.

Related readings:  Facts about L'Aquila, site of G8 summit  Themes and scenarios for G8 summit in Italy  Italy hopes for quake reconstruction pledges at G8  Berlusconi hosts G8 as scandals weaken credibility  G8 Summit talks likely to turn to dollar

Italian authorities said the tremor measured 4.1 in magnitude, strong enough to send some residents of L'Aquila running from their homes and into the streets, but causing no major damage.

April's quake in L'Aquila killed nearly 300 people and left more than 60,000 homeless.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has given assurances that G8 facilities that will host heads of state for the July 8-10 summit can withstand a major earthquake.