A 5.5 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Rimini was felt in several cities in Italy and several other countries this morning.

The initial quake just after 7am was followed by two smaller tremors.

Houses along the Adriatic coast shook for several seconds, causing minor damage but no casualties, according to news reports.

Trains were stopped to and from Ancona, including services to Rome because of suspected damage, said the BBC.

The quake was felt as far away as Rome in the west of Italy and Bologna in the northeast, as well as in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.