Hundreds more were injured in the Emilia-Romagna region, with many of the casualties and injuries occurring in buildings that collapsed after being damaged by the initial quake.
The latest tremor was felt across much of northern and central Italy, including in the region’s largest city of Milan.
The shaking caused factories, barns and churches to tumble, adding to the rubble of other buildings wrecked by the 6.1 magnitude temblor just over a week earlier.
The twin quake disasters struck at one of Italy’s most productive regions -- home to expansing agriculture and industrial operations.
They come at a time the country is struggling to grow its economy and stave off Europe’s debt crisis.