In brief
A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Naples and its surrounding areas at 01:25 local time, causing panic and leading many residents to spend the night outside. The tremor, the largest in 40 years for the Campi Flegrei region, resulted in damage to buildings and vehicles while officials monitored ground movements for potential volcanic activity.
A 4.4 magnitude earthquake rattled Naples in the early hours of Thursday, sending tremors through the city and forcing many residents into the streets. The quake struck at 01:25 local time (00:25 GMT), with its epicenter located on the coastline between Pozzuoli and Bagnoli, at a shallow depth of approximately two miles. As the tremor rolled through Naples, local seismologists reported widespread disruption, including power outages in various parts of the city. Fortunately, Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) quickly reassured the public, stating there was no imminent volcanic eruption risk from the nearby Campi Flegrei caldera. Yet, prior earthquakes in the region have left residents on edge.In Bagnoli, close to the quake's epicenter, a woman was rescued from the debris of a partially collapsed structure, sustaining only minor injuries. However, residents across Naples were quick to leave their homes, fearing further seismic activity. Damage was reported, including a cracked bell tower at a local church and multiple cars with shattered windscreens.In the wake of the earthquake, Mayor Josi Gerardo Della Ragione of Bacoli described the night as challenging but noted that his town escaped major damage. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni maintains constant communication with local officials to assess the situation.Schools remained closed to allow for stability inspections in buildings. Additional concerns arose due to the increased rate of "bradyseism"—ground movements altering surface elevations—in the area. Francesca Bianco from INGV indicated a notable increase in ground rise rates, now at three centimeters per month, which is significantly higher than previous measurements.Edoardo Cosenza, a civil protection advisor in Naples, emphasized the urgency of assessing these changes, stating, “We need to be aware and ready to respond.” As the community grapples with the aftermath of the quake, officials continue to monitor the evolving geological conditions of this volcanically active region.
