Following a strong earthquake in Naples, many locals spent the night outside amid concerns of further tremors. Damage included a collapsed church bell tower and multiple cars with smashed windscreens, as officials monitor the situation closely.
Naples Residents Face Uncertain Night After Earthquake Rattles City
Naples Residents Face Uncertain Night After Earthquake Rattles City
A 4.4 magnitude quake shakes Naples, leading many residents to camp outside as fears of aftershocks persist.
In the early hours of Thursday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 struck the area around Naples, Italy, prompting many residents to seek safety outside. The tremor, which occurred at 01:25 local time (00:25 GMT), originated close to Pozzuoli at a shallow depth of just 3 km (two miles). As the quake rattled buildings, reports emerged of considerable rubble falling and several vehicles sustaining damage, with windscreens smashed.
The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) confirmed that the quake had been felt widely across the city, disrupting power supplies in parts of Naples. Fortunately, officials stated that there was "no evidence" indicating an imminent eruption of the nearby Campi Flegrei volcanic crater, which is known for its geological activity.
In Bagnoli, near the epicenter, emergency responders managed to rescue a woman from the debris of a partially collapsed building, though her injuries were minor. The quake was the strongest recorded in the Campi Flegrei area in the last 40 years, having similar intensity to another earthquake that occurred in May 2024, and it was followed by at least six aftershocks.
Residents, shaken by the tremors, took to the streets overnight in fear of further seismic activity. A local church's bell tower suffered damage, highlighting the risk of historic structures in the quake-prone region.
Josi Gerardo Della Ragione, the mayor of Bacoli, noted that while his town had not experienced significant damage, the night had been challenging for its residents. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is closely monitoring the situation and remains in communication with local officials.
In light of the seismic events, schools across the region were closed to facilitate building inspections for stability. Local authorities are increasingly concerned about the implications of rising ground levels in the area, known as "bradyseism," which has reportedly increased from an average rise of 1cm to 3cm per month.
Edoardo Cosenza, a civil protection official in Naples, emphasized the need for an immediate response to any increases in ground movement, acknowledging the potential threats posed by the area's volcanic history. The Campi Flegrei basin, home to over 800,000 residents, remains under close watch as the community awaits further updates on the geological safety of their environment.
