Residents of Naples were jolted awake early Thursday morning after a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck the city, marking the strongest tremor in the region in 40 years. The earthquake, which hit around 1:25 a.m., caused minor damage and sent 11 people to the hospital. Some residents fled their homes, choosing to sleep outdoors or in their cars, fearing further aftershocks.
The epicenter of the quake was located near the coastal town of Pozzuoli, west of Naples, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Several aftershocks were felt throughout the region.
The quake caused damage to buildings, including a church, a seven-story residential block, and other structures, which were declared off-limits by local authorities. Schools in the area were closed as a precaution.
Mayor Gaetano Manfredi assured the public that inspectors were monitoring the situation closely, checking buildings for further damage. “We are following with the greatest attention all of our structures, and are monitoring all events in real-time,” he said.
Power outages were also reported, and many residents chose to remain outside due to safety concerns. Some even sought refuge at a former NATO base in Bagnoli after forced entry.
This earthquake, which echoed the magnitude of a similar quake in the region last May, was the most significant in the city since the early 1980s. Naples lies on the Phlegraean Fields, an area known for both seismic and volcanic activity. Recently, there has been an uptick in seismic activity in the region, with drills conducted last summer in preparation for a possible emergency.
The last major earthquake in the area, a 6.9 magnitude tremor in November 1980, resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and widespread destruction. Authorities and residents alike remain on high alert as tremors continue to affect the region.
Naples Earthquake EPA pic Via FMT
