Rome: A series of earthquakes measuring 5.3-5.7 magnitude struck central Italy yesterday, bringing fresh terror to an area still reeling from deadly quakes last year and struggling to cope with heavy snowfall.

Monitors said the first quake, which struck at 10.25 am (0925 GMT) was around 5.3 magnitude and a second, some 50 minutes later, was put at 5.7 magnitude by the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre. It was quickly followed by a third, measured at 5.5.