A quake with a magnitude of 4.4 was recorded 39km (24 miles) northeast of Milan, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The earthquake centred on Bonate Sotto, a small town outside the city of Bergamo, and struck at 11.34am local time (10.34am GMT).

       It reached a depth of 27km (17 miles) and tremors were felt across Pavia, Como and Milan.

       Panic was also sparked across the second largest city in Italy, which has a population of around eight million people.

       Local reporters and residents recalled the ground and even houses shaking.

       Corriere della Sera reporter Martina Pennisi said: "Earthquake in Milan. Could be felt well on the ground floor too."

       SportItalia TV's Gianluigi Longari wrote on Twitter: "Never felt a shock of #Earthquake in Milan so clearly."

       Journalist Marta Ottaviani wrote: "I had never felt such a strong jolt even in nearly nine years in #Istanbul. #terremoto #Milano"

       Other users on the platform also shared their concerns.

       One, @simonapecis, tweeted: “The house shook…. A fear here in the province of Bergamo.”

       Another, @lulevader, said: “Earthquake near Milan - buildings shake!”

       A third, @Roveees1, added: “Talk about the unexpected. A 4.9 magnitude earthquake just struck the Milan area.

       “The ferocity of the tremors that shook our building was quite the Saturday wake-up call.

       “What a reminder of the potential wrath of Mother Nature.”

       The Milan fire department said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in the city.

       This is a developing news story, more to follow.