Severe Earthquake Strikes Naples: Residents Endure Night on Streets

Naples has been hit by a 4.4 magnitude earthquake, marked as one of its worst in 40 years. The tremors caused widespread panic, prompting residents to flee to the streets. Firefighters were engaged in rescue efforts, while city authorities implemented safety measures, including temporarily closing schools and offering shelter. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is overseeing the situation amid concerns of seismic activity in the Phlegraean Fields region.

Naples experienced a severe 4.4 magnitude earthquake, identified as one of the worst in the region over the past four decades. Occurring at 1:25 AM on Thursday, the quake generated a significant “huge roar” which prompted many residents to evacuate their homes and seek refuge in the streets. The earthquake, lasting roughly 20 seconds, was followed by a series of aftershocks for an extended period of approximately two hours.

The seismic event originated about 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles) beneath Pozzuoli, a coastal town west of Naples, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Emergency responders worked diligently, rescuing an injured woman trapped under rubble after the roof of her home collapsed. Furthermore, in the neighboring Bagnoli district, rescuers managed to free individuals trapped indoors while others escaped through windows, as reported by news agency ANSA.

This earthquake matches the intensity of another 4.4 magnitude tremor recorded last May, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Both quakes were centered in the Phlegraean Fields, an area noted for hosting Europe’s largest active volcanic caldera, where about 500,000 residents are situated within the hazardous Mount Vesuvius zone.

Social media has been inundated with images showcasing significant damage, including vehicles burdened with debris and structural damage to homes. In response, city officials have temporarily closed schools in Bagnoli and established areas for residents to take shelter. Firefighters have been conducting checks in Bacoli, Bagnoli, and Pozzuoli, with continuous efforts to ensure public safety.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is reportedly monitoring the incident closely and is in coordination with local authorities. The Phlegraean Fields region had a notable eruption approximately 40,000 years ago, recognized as the most powerful in the Mediterranean. Although seismic activity led to evacuations in the 1980s, experts currently deem a significant eruption as unlikely in the near future.

The recent earthquake in Naples has resulted in substantial disruption and damage, compelling many residents to seek safety outdoors. Emergency services are actively involved in rescue operations and ensuring the safety of those affected, while local authorities have established temporary shelters for displaced residents. Continued monitoring and safety assessments are being conducted to manage the aftermath of this alarming seismic event.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk