An intense earthquake has impacted southern Italy, causing significant damage in the city of Naples. The 4.7 magnitude quake struck just before 8pm local time, leaving neighborhoods without electricity and prompting residents to flee to the streets out of fear.
According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the earthquake measured at 4.7 on the Richter scale. Power outages have been experienced from Pizzofalcone to Fuorigrotta, with a significant landslide reported in Pozzuoli.
While minor earthquakes are common in the region, the stronger tremors have heightened concerns of a seismic event similar to the crisis that hit Campi Flegrei in the early 1980s, displacing thousands of individuals and causing widespread chaos.
Italy is no stranger to earthquakes, with a series of powerful quakes devastating parts of Lazio, Umbria, and the Marche regions in 2016, resulting in approximately 300 fatalities. The deadliest quake in recent history occurred in November 1980, measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale, claiming around 2,700 lives and causing extensive damage to numerous towns in southern Italy’s Irpinia area.
Reports indicate minor structural damage in and around Naples, but the Italian fire service has not received immediate requests for assistance. As a precaution, local rail and metro services have been halted.
Footage circulating on social media following the earthquake depicts the aftermath of a significant landslide triggered by the seismic event. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre’s map illustrates the quake’s impact on buildings in the vicinity of Naples.
The earthquake, with its epicenter in the Campi Flegrei area west of Naples, was recorded at 7:46 pm at a depth of about 3 km. A video shows a substantial landslide in Pozzuoli, with large boulders strewn across streets and debris scattered throughout.
Social media posts reveal scenes of destruction in the quake-affected area. Despite the documented landslide in Pozzuoli, there have been no reported injuries.