A powerful 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Naples, Italy, on Friday evening, injuring at least 26 people and prompting evacuations in the Campi Flegrei area, the site of Europe's largest volcanic crater. The quake, which hit at 7:46 PM local time, caused power outages, disrupted transport, and damaged infrastructure, marking the strongest tremor to shake the region in four decades.
Impact and Immediate Response
According to Italy's civil protection minister, Nello Musumeci, the volcanic activity is not yet over, urging residents to remain cautious. The earthquake, with a depth of just 3 kilometers, was felt across Naples, the island of Ischia, and as far as the Sorrento peninsula. It triggered landslides in Pozzuoli, near the epicenter, leading to the evacuation of approximately 300 residents. At least five injured individuals were hospitalized, and many spent the night outdoors, fearing building collapses.
Firefighters reported lifts stuck and a high-voltage pylon partially collapsed in the Agnano area, disrupting electricity for 100,000 households. The port authority declared the Pozzuoli pier unusable, suspending ferry and hydrofoil services to the islands. High-speed train passengers faced delays of up to six hours, with some services rerouted.
Seismic Swarm and Ongoing Tremors
Italy's national institute of geophysics and volcanology (INGV) confirmed the quake was part of an ongoing seismic swarm, with about 60 aftershocks recorded, including a 3.1-magnitude tremor at 5:47 AM that was felt in Bacoli, Pozzuoli, and Naples.
In Pozzuoli, a building partially collapsed, and large chunks of rubble crushed parked cars, though no injuries resulted. Nine buildings have been deemed unsafe as inspections continue. A rescuer told Reuters that one person was 'alive by a miracle,' adding, 'There is a risk that the mountain could continue to collapse, so it is dangerous. What makes us angry is that this situation was foreseeable, because there had already been problems with the mountain for a year and a half … The municipality knew about the situation and did nothing – perhaps if they had acted sooner, this could have been avoided.'
Residents' Fear and Uncertainty
Residents expressed fear and confusion. One said, 'We were afraid. We all ran out of our homes because it was impossible to stay inside. It lasted a long time and was very powerful, and we no longer know what we are supposed to do. We have been left here in the middle of the street, and no one has come to check on us or tell us what to do. We are here with very young children.'
The earthquake caused part of a cliff and several unoccupied buildings to collapse, with the heaviest damage reported in Pozzuoli. The Campi Flegrei volcanic area, known for its seismic activity, has been under close monitoring, and this event underscores the ongoing geological risks facing the region.
