A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Naples region of southern Italy on Friday evening, injuring 26 individuals, five of whom were hospitalized. The seismic event prompted the evacuation of approximately 300 residents due to significant property damage, according to the latest reports from Italian authorities.
The earthquake occurred at 7:46 PM local time (5:46 PM GMT) at a shallow depth of just 3 kilometers, with its epicenter located in the Campi Flegrei area, between Pozzuoli and Quarto, west of Naples. This information was confirmed by Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
Lorenzo Benedetto, president of the Order of Geologists of Campania, highlighted that this earthquake was the strongest recorded in the Campi Flegrei region in 40 years. Following the main quake, numerous aftershocks were felt throughout the night, the largest of which measured 3.1 in magnitude at 5:47 AM local time (3:47 AM GMT). Italian Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci warned that the seismic activity is ongoing and urged residents to exercise caution.
As per updates from the Civil Protection, the number of injured individuals has been confirmed at 26. The seismic event not only caused the collapse of some unoccupied buildings but also led to damages in inhabited structures, necessitating the evacuation of around 300 individuals. The Civil Protection reported that eight buildings and five shops have been declared uninhabitable.
Most of the injured were rescued in Pozzuoli, which was the area hardest hit, while the remainder were treated in Giugliano. Among those hospitalized, five sustained fractures and other traumas, as stated by a Civil Protection spokesperson.
Napoli Prefect Michele di Bari noted that all evacuees were from Pozzuoli, the community most impacted by the earthquake. However, he emphasized that this figure is provisional, as ongoing checks by firefighters could lead to fluctuations in the number of evacuees.
Evacuated families, many of whom are currently housed in centers in Naples and Pozzuoli, may qualify for assistance to secure alternative housing or hotel accommodations.
Minister Musumeci reiterated the need for caution, indicating that volcanologists believe the series of earthquakes is still continuing, and additional quakes with magnitudes exceeding 3 could occur.
The most significant property damage in Pozzuoli resulted from the collapse of a wall section from a small apartment block, with large stones falling onto parked cars below, creating a cloud of dust. Additionally, access to the port has been forbidden, and maritime traffic has been redirected to Naples. Areas along the coast between Portici, east of Naples, and Bagnoli, west of Naples, are also restricted.
Rail services, which experienced disruptions, have returned to normal, with the exception of the Cumana line between Bagnoli and Torregaveta, which is anticipated to be operational by tomorrow morning. Electricity supply services have also been restored.
