Earthquake shakes Naples - residents flee to the streets
People in the southern Italian city of Naples are used to earthquakes. But many are troubled even by a magnitude 4 quake. Tourists on an island are also affected: Debris falls directly next to sunbathers into the water.
The region around the southern Italian city of Naples and some adjacent Mediterranean islands have been hit by an earthquake. Out of fear of greater damage, many residents took to the streets. In Marina Grande Bay in the resort town of Bacoli west of the million-city, a cliff collapsed into the sea. According to reports from authorities, debris fell in close proximity to sunbathers without causing any injuries. Several trains in Naples' subway system were safely stopped for safety reasons.
The National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported a magnitude of 4.0 for the quake - a relatively strong quake for this region. The epicenter was reportedly located in the Phlegraean Fields, a so-called Supervolcano. The earthquakes occurred at a depth of approximately four kilometers, according to the Institute. The strongest quake was measured at 13:46 local time, with smaller quakes occurring for about half an hour before and after.
No injuries reported yet
The tremors were felt not only on the mainland but also on islands such as Procida, where many tourists are currently staying. According to initial reports from the Italian Civil Protection, there were no injuries or major damage. The Phlegraean Fields, a region with high volcanic activity in the Campania region, have been plagued by numerous small and sometimes strong earthquakes in recent years.
The Campi Flegrei, or "burning fields," were hit by the strongest earthquakes in 40 years in May, with a magnitude of 4.4. For the past ten years, the area has been at Alert Level Yellow, which calls for caution. The Roman government announced new measures and evacuation plans for hundreds of thousands of people after the earthquakes in May. However, only a few residents participated in a recently announced disaster response drill.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.0, originated from the Phlegraean Fields, a Supervolcano located near Naples. Due to the region's history of earthquakes and volcanic activity, many international tourists, including those on Procida, were affected.
