A tsunami alert has been issued in Italy after a series tremors was detected off the Mediterranean coast.

As many as 12 quakes were recorded with magnitudes of up to 5.0 near Sicily on Friday lunchtime, prompting precautionary evacuations of schools in Palermo and Messina.

The other 11 tremors all registered above 3.0-magnitude, officials said.

The United States Geological Survey recorded a 5.7 magnitude quake at a depth of 10km north of the island, occurring at 10:19am local time.

It said the epicentre was less than 60 miles from Palermo, on the northern coastline, which has a population of 648260.

Locals reported feeling tremors in Palermo, Patti, Licata, Capo dʿOrlando and Campofelice di Roccella. Licata is 180km from the epicentre.

At the time of writing, there were no reports of injuries or damage to property.

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