A 4.7-magnitude earthquake rattled southern Italy near Naples on Friday evening, injuring 21 people, two of them seriously, and causing damage across the Campania region.
The tremor originated in the Phlegraean Fields, a volcanic caldera roughly 13 kilometers in diameter on the western edge of Naples. Emergency services said several unoccupied buildings collapsed, parts of building facades peeled away, and electricity supply was cut off in some areas.
The worst damage was recorded in Pozzuoli, a town of about 80,000 residents situated in the middle of the caldera. According to civil protection minister Nello Musumeci, both residential buildings and churches were hit. The local authorities set up 200 beds for people whose homes had been damaged, and similar arrangements were made in neighboring communities.
Strongest recorded tremor
The quake was the most powerful recorded in this area so far. Scientists from Italy’s Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology registered around a dozen shocks overnight and warned that more tremors could follow.
In the immediate aftermath, building safety checks began throughout the affected zone, including on the coast. Local media reported that some beaches and ports may be temporarily closed or have limited access because of the damage found there. Train services in the Naples area were suspended to allow inspections.
Panic in Naples and nearby towns
The shaking set off panic across Pozzuoli, Naples, and many other municipalities in Campania. Residents rushed into the streets as the ground moved, with the strongest jolt occurring late Friday and smaller aftershocks continuing through the night.
Seismic activity in the Phlegraean Fields has intensified in recent years, and authorities have been working on plans for a mass evacuation if conditions worsen. For now, the response is focused on inspecting buildings, restoring power, and providing temporary shelter to those affected.
Source: Polsat News, Photo: Polsat News
