Naples Endures Severe Earthquake Leading to Mass Displacement of Residents

Naples endured a 4.4 magnitude earthquake recently, its worst in 40 years, temporarily displacing residents. This tremor, preceded by a loud roar, lasted about 20 seconds and was followed by additional shocks. Emergency services executed numerous rescues, and authorities closed schools and established shelters. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is monitoring the situation actively, although major eruptions in the future are considered unlikely.

Naples recently experienced one of its most severe earthquakes in four decades, forcing residents to seek refuge in the streets. A 4.4 magnitude tremor struck the city at approximately 1:25 AM on Thursday, following a loud roar that startled citizens. The earthquake, lasting nearly twenty seconds, was accompanied by additional tremors that persisted for two hours in the vicinity.

According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the epicenter was located about 2.5 kilometers beneath Pozzuoli, a coastal area west of Naples. In emergency responses, firefighters rescued an injured woman trapped in her home after a ceiling collapse in Pozzuoli. Similar rescue operations were reported in Bagnoli, where some residents were seen escaping through windows.

This recent quake is notably the second 4.4-magnitude tremor in just a few months, marking it as one of the most powerful seismic events in this region in years. Both earthquakes originated in the Phlegraean Fields, which sits over the largest active volcanic caldera in Europe. Approximately 500,000 residents inhabit the region near the hazardous Mount Vesuvius.

Social media has been inundated with videos and images illustrating the aftermath: cars buried in debris, cracked structures, and panicked residents evacuating at night. In response, city officials closed schools in Bagnoli and established emergency shelters for displaced residents. Firefighters conducted thorough inspections in Bacoli, Bagnoli, and Pozzuoli.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated she remains vigilant regarding the situation and is in constant communication with local authorities. Notably, the Phlegraean Fields witnessed a prior significant eruption approximately 40,000 years ago, which was the most powerful in the Mediterranean region. Although seismic activities in the 1980s prompted mass evacuations in this area, experts currently believe a major eruption is unlikely in the near term.

The recent earthquake in Naples has caused significant distress among residents, with many resorting to sleeping in the streets due to safety concerns. Emergency services have been active in rescuing individuals and ensuring community safety. Despite this grave seismic event, experts remain optimistic about the lower likelihood of an imminent major volcanic eruption in the region, as they continue to monitor the situation closely.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk