A university lecture hall collapsed in the city of Cagliari on the Italian island of Sardinia, firefighters said on Tuesday evening.

According to the fire department, the accident happened around 10 pm (2000 GMT) on Tuesday.

Firefighters said they searched under the rubble of the Aula Magna for possible victims.

After an initial scan no people were believed to have been in the building when it collapsed.

Firefighters confirmed that the lecture hall was closed at the time of the collapse.

News agency ANSA reported that search dogs and drones were being employed to ensure no-one is trapped under the rubble. (dpa/NAN)

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