A 4.6 magnitude earthquake has struck the North East coast of Italy, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported.

An estimated 1.1million people have felt the tremors.

The earthquake struck about 52 kilometres from the town of Ravenna.

Witnesses and residents say they heard a "roar" and that furniture moved.

One wrote to EMSC and said: "I heard a roar."

Another said: "Very short and intense."

One said: "Just two seconds of trembling, lamps moving a minute and chair moved."

Another added: "For about 20 seconds the TV set and hanging lamp were visibly shaking, I was sitting on couch and could feel shaking like strong (long) waves."

A 4.6 earthquake on the Ritcher scale is classified as a light earthquake.

It is felt by most people and objects do move and fall as well as light sleepers will be woken up.

Significant damage is unlikely.

The EMSC is an independent organisation that provides real-time earthquake information.