L'Aquila, 20 August (AKI) - The quake-stricken city of L'Aquila was hit by a fresh earthquake early Thursday. The quake struck the city and nearby towns at 5.44 am. and measured 3.1 on the Richter scale. The epicentre of the quake was located at Rocca di Cambio, Rocca di Mezzo, and Villa Sant'Angelo near L'Aquila, site of the G8 meeting of world leaders in July.

Hundreds of aftershocks have continued to rock the Abruzzo region since the deadly 6 April earthquake (photo) that killed nearly 300 people and displaced some 50,000 others.

Many buildings in the historic centre of L'Aquila, capital of the region, were destroyed in the devastating April quake which reached a magnitude of 6.3.

While recent aftershocks have not caused further casualties or damage to buildings, many people are still living in tent cities in L'Aquila and surrounding areas.

Although about half of the homes have been declared safe in the area, many survivors are afraid to return home particularly since there have been hundreds of aftershocks in the area since April.

Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has vowed to build homes for 30,000 people left homeless in the area by mid-November or, at the latest, by the end of year.