EU pledges aid to earthquake-hit Italy

Commission says it’s ‘ready to provide any immediate assistance.’

The European Commission pledged help to Italy after the island of Ischia was hit by an earthquake Monday night, killing at least two people.

“The EU is fully ready to help. Our 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been in immediate contact with the Italian civil protection authorities since the early hours,” the European commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, Christos Stylianides, said in a statement.

“We stand ready to provide any immediate assistance the national authorities could require,” he added.

At least two people were killed and dozens injured when the 4.3 magnitude earthquake hit the volcanic island, off the coast of Naples, Reuters reported.

According to local authorities, hotels and homes did not appear to suffer serious damage but fire brigades were still performing checks on buildings.