A 6.0-magnitude earthquake has rattled northern Italy, killing at least three people and damaging buildings.

The U.S. Geological Survey says Sunday's quake centered about 35 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Bologna at a depth of about 5 kilometers.

The quake was followed by a series of aftershocks. The largest was a 5.1-magnitude aftershock that shook the area about an hour later.

Two people died when a ceramics factory collapsed. Another person died while working a night shift in Ponte Rodoni do Bondeno, just northwest of Ferrara.

Streets were filled with debris and people in the early hours Sunday, as locals assessed the damage of their homes and businesses. Some old church steeples and towers had also collapsed.