Naples has been struck by a powerful 4.4-magnitude earthquake, the worst in 40 years, causing residents to flee and sleep outside. The tremor, lasting for approximately 20 seconds with subsequent aftershocks, originated near Pozzuoli. Emergency services are actively rescuing trapped individuals, while authorities are providing shelter and support to affected residents. Prime Minister Meloni is monitoring the situation closely.
Naples has recently experienced a devastating earthquake, one of the most severe in the last four decades. This 4.4-magnitude tremor, which occurred at approximately 1:25 AM, was preceded by a significant noise, prompting residents to flee onto the streets. The quake lasted about 20 seconds, followed by two hours of aftershocks that unsettled the entire city and surrounding areas.
The earthquake’s epicenter was determined to be about 2.5 kilometers beneath the coastal city of Pozzuoli, west of Naples, as reported by Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). In the aftermath, firefighters responded diligently, rescuing an injured woman from the debris of her collapsed home in Pozzuoli. Other residents were also freed from perilous situations, including those who managed to escape through windows.
This latest earthquake mirrors a similarly powerful tremor recorded last May, marking both as the strongest seismic events in the region in recent history. Both earthquakes originated from the Phlegraean Fields area in Pozzuoli, which is situated atop Europe’s most substantial active volcanic caldera, housing nearly 500,000 people in the Mount Vesuvius hazard zone.
On social media, harrowing images depicted cars enveloped in rubble, structural damages to homes, and distressed individuals seeking refuge outdoors. In response to the crisis, local authorities have closed schools in Bagnoli and established temporary shelters for the displaced residents. Fire crews are proactively assessing damages in areas like Bacoli, Bagnoli, and Pozzuoli.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly acknowledged the situation, assuring that she is in close communication with local officials to monitor developments. Historical context reveals that the last significant eruption of the Phlegraean Fields occurred approximately 40,000 years ago, regarded as the largest in the Mediterranean. Notably, experts maintain that a major eruption is not anticipated in the near future despite the recent seismic activities.
In summary, Naples is grappling with the aftermath of a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, marking it as one of the most severe seismic events in recent decades. Emergency responders have actively rescued trapped individuals, while city authorities are providing shelter for displaced residents. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is overseeing the situation closely. Historical precedence suggests that although seismic activity has occurred, a major eruption from the area’s volcanic system is not likely once again in the immediate future.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
