ROME - A 5.4-magnitude earthquake shook northern Italy on Friday, the second such temblor this week, but there were no reports of injuries or significant damage.

Some office buildings in Milan were evacuated as a precaution, the ANSA news agency said, and there were scattered reports of falling masonry and cracks in buildings.

The quake was felt in neighbouring Switzerland, but caused no major damage there either.

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Italian Civil Protection agency said the epicenter was near Parma. Residents in Milan said the temblor lasted about 10-15 seconds.

On Wednesday, a magnitude-5 earthquake shook a wide area of northern Italy from Verona to Genoa. No injuries or serious damage were reported then.