NU Online News Service, May 21, 10:26 a.m. EDT

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake on Sunday in northern Italy has damaged or destroyed historical structures, churches, warehouses and factories.

At least five people have died, according to numerous reports. Thousands have been left homeless by the shallow earthquake.

According to catastrophe modeler AIR Worldwide, the quake, which struck the Emilia Romagna region, was the strongest in Italy since a magnitude 6.3 hit central Italy in 2009. Earthquakes in the Emilia Romagna region are rare, according to local seismologists. The last temblor there was in the 14^th century.

SCENES OF DESTRUCTION: ITALY QUAKE

AIR's Mehrdad Mahdyiar, senior director of earthquake research, says insured losses “will not be significant given the low residential take-up rates and the relatively rural nature of the epicentral region.” Damage to commercial properties will drive insured losses, he added.

Factory collapses have been reported in towns of Ponte Rodoni Di Bondero and Sant'Agostino di Ferrara, according to catastrophe modeler Risk Management Solutions (RMS). Warehouses storing more than 300,000 wheels of Parmesan and Grana Padano cheeses collapsed, adds RMS.

It appears the region's capital of Bologna had no significant damage. Productions facilities of Lamborghini and Ferrari also had no serious damage.

The greatest losses may be to the region's art and architectural treasures.

Three churches and the art inside them in San Felice Sul Panaro were reduced to rubble and a castle was heavily damaged, say local reports.

A 14^th century clock tower in Finale Emilia was vertically split in half by the quake before an aftershock destroyed the rest.

Mahdyiar says newer construction in the region fared well, but for cracking in some walls. Resistance to earthquakes will vary since developments in building codes differ among the country's regions, he adds.

Special Reports /

Italy Quake Topples Churches, Warehouses; Thousands Homeless

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