An earthquake in northern Italy has killed at least six people and caused thousands of others to flee into the streets.
The BBC reports the 6.0 magnitude quake struck just after 4am local time, about 35km north of the city of Bologna.
Officials say the three victims died when the buildings they were working in overnight collapsed.
Italian TV has shown pictures of damaged factories and church steeples in the region.
Aftershocks have also been reported.
Rescue teams are now combing the area amid reports that a number of people may be buried under rubble.
The earthquake was at a relatively shallow depth of 10km.
