Quake damages buildings and sparks panic in Italy's Naples

A 4.4-magnitude earthquake in southern Italy has left buildings damaged and sent several people to hospital with minor injuries, officials say.

The quake struck in the early hours and was followed by several smaller tremors, sending residents fleeing into the street.

The Campi Flegrei area around Naples is the caldera -- or hollow -- left behind by a massive eruption 40,000 years ago.

Specialists say another full-blown eruption in the near future remains unlikely.