Quake hits Alpes De-Haute-Provence

AROUND 100 people called the emergency services last night after feeling an earthquake in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

It was centred around Volx, to the south-west of Digne-les-Bains, around 21.00.

The quake, which is not known to have caused damage or injuries, was 3.3-3.5 on the Richter scale and brings the tally in the department to eight quakes above level three this year alone.

“It is very unusual,” said the head of earthquake monitoring group Réseau Sismologique des Alpes. “Statistically there are three quakes above level three per year in the whole of the south-west quarter of France.”

This year’s largest quake in the department was centred on Barcelonnette, in February, reaching 4.9 on the scale. It was felt 130km away in Nice.

Photo: www.franceseisme.fr