ROME: A 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Tuscany on Friday, Italy's civil protection agency said, and was felt across northern Italy, from Milan, to Venice, Bologna and Florence, Italian media reports said.

"We are checking to see whether any damage has been caused," a civil protection spokeswoman told AFP, adding that the quake hit at a depth of around 5.0 kilometres (3.1 miles), correcting earlier reports that it had hit further underground.

The quake hit 2.0 kilometres from near the walled city of Fivizzano in the province of Massa and Carrara in Tuscany, sparking panic among residents who rushed out of houses onto the streets.

The quake lasted just a few seconds according to witnesses speaking to local journalists.

Fear of earthquakes in the region is high after two powerful quakes wrecked homes and businesses in the neighbouring Emilia Romagna region, killing 25 people. (AFP)