Authorities evacuated 39 families near the Italian city of Naples and schools were closed on Tuesday after a wave of tremors of a strength not seen for decades sparked panic but no injuries.

According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, one 4.4-magnitude quake was registered, at a depth of 2.5 kilometres.

The quake was part of what the institute called a "seismic swarm"  in which some 150 quakes were recorded.

Residents of Pozzuoli, a city near Naples, also rushed out of their homes into the street following the tremors, which caused some damage to buildings, as casualties were not recorded.

Italy's Civil Protection Department said 39 families had been evacuated from 13 buildings following the outcome of inspections.

The mayor of Pozzuoli, Gigi Manzoni, therefore urged people to remain calm, as he acknowledged the situation was stressful. 

Four reception centres were set for people who did not feel safe in their homes, while authorities in Naples arranged to send 400 temporary beds to the area.