Residents of Naples and its surrounding areas abandoned their homes and camped out in parks and cars after a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the Italian city early Thursday morning, rattling nerves after weeks of intense seismic activity.

The southern Italian city of Naples was struck by a 4.4-magnitude quake early Thursday that caused only minor damage and sent 11 people to hospital, officials said.

A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Naples Italy area at 1:25 a.m. local time Thursday, causing some building and car damage but no reported deaths. The quake hit in Campi Flegrei volcano basin.

Strong quake shakes Naples, forcing residents into streets and cars The earthquake was the most powerful recorded in the Phlegraean Fields volcanic region and had the same intensity as a tremor that struck the area in May last year.

A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck near Naples at 01:25 local time, shaking buildings and sending rubble crashing down. Many residents fled their homes, spending the night outside in fear of aftershocks.