Several homes were evacuated as many people slept in their cars or on the streets after 150 tremors, including the biggest for 40 years, hit the volcanic region of Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields), near Naples, Italy overnight. Italian authorities, on Tuesday (May 21) were also checking schools and prisons after some damage was reported to several buildings in the city.

<h2>‘Seismic swarm’</h2>

One 4.4-magnitude quake was registered shortly after 8:00 pm (local time) in Pozzuoli, a densely populated port city, on Monday (May 20) at a depth of 2.5 kilometres, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).&nbsp;

This was followed by what the institute called a “seismic swarm” of some 150 quakes, including the most powerful one in 40 years.&nbsp;

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According to the local media reports, some cracks were formed in buildings and some chunks of bricks and stones holding the structure together collapsed.&nbsp;

The quakes also prompted many residents to rush out of their homes and onto the streets. Campi Flegrei, which is home to at least 360,000 people, has witnessed more seismic activity in recent years.&nbsp;

Notably, seismic activity is nothing new for Pozzuoli which is located on the Campi Flegrei, Europe’s largest active caldera (the hollow left after an eruption), but a 4.2-magnitude quake last September had already sparked fears among the residents.&nbsp;

<h2>‘I’m scared’</h2>

Local authorities set up tents and organised around 400 temporary bunks for people as many people were scared to go home.&nbsp;

“I’m scared. I opened this morning but there isn’t anyone because people are scared,” Gaetano Maddaluno, 56, a hairdresser in the city of Pozzuoli, told AFP by telephone on Tuesday morning.

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The mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, urged residents to remain calm on Tuesday and said that the situation is “under control”. He added, “There is currently no risk of eruption.”

Italy’s Civil Protection Department, on Tuesday morning, said 39 families had been evacuated from 13 buildings after the inspection.&nbsp;

Schools had also been closed on Tuesday in Pozzuoli for inspection and across several towns and districts of Naples.

Local authorities also said that 140 inmates of the women’s prison were transferred to other institutions as they were assessing the damage to the jail.&nbsp;

The INGV said it would continue to monitor the caldera, saying that “other seismic events cannot be ruled out.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Several homes were evacuated as many people slept in their cars or on the streets after 150 tremors, including the biggest for 40 years, hit the volcanic region of Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields), near Naples, Italy overnight.

Several homes were evacuated as many people slept in their cars or on the streets after 150 tremors, including the biggest for 40 years, hit the volcanic region of Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields), near Naples, Italy overnight. Italian authorities, on Tuesday (May 21) were also checking schools and prisons after some damage was reported to several buildings in the city. ‘Seismic swarm’ One 4.4-magnitude quake was registered shortly after 8:00 pm (local time) in Pozzuoli, a densely populated port city, on Monday (May 20) at a depth of 2.5 kilometres, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). This was followed by what the institute called a “seismic swarm” of some 150 quakes, including the most powerful one in 40 years. Also Read | ‘Reality Check’: Damning report finds big oil firms’ climate plans could increase global warming by 2.4°C According to the local media reports, some cracks were formed in buildings and some chunks of bricks and stones holding the structure together collapsed. The quakes also prompted many residents to rush out of their homes and onto the streets. Campi Flegrei, which is home to at least 360,000 people, has witnessed more seismic activity in recent years. Notably, seismic activity is nothing new for Pozzuoli which is located on the Campi Flegrei, Europe’s largest active caldera (the hollow left after an eruption), but a 4.2-magnitude quake last September had already sparked fears among the residents. ‘I’m scared’ Local authorities set up tents and organised around 400 temporary bunks for people as many people were scared to go home. “I’m scared. I opened this morning but there isn’t anyone because people are scared,” Gaetano Maddaluno, 56, a hairdresser in the city of Pozzuoli, told AFP by telephone on Tuesday morning. Also Read | Animal attack claims life of 70-year-old; Alaska man killed by moose mother while photographing calves The mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, urged residents to remain calm on Tuesday and said that the situation is “under control”. He added, “There is currently no risk of eruption.” Italy’s Civil Protection Department, on Tuesday morning, said 39 families had been evacuated from 13 buildings after the inspection. Schools had also been closed on Tuesday in Pozzuoli for inspection and across several towns and districts of Naples. Local authorities also said that 140 inmates of the women’s prison were transferred to other institutions as they were assessing the damage to the jail. The INGV said it would continue to monitor the caldera, saying that “other seismic events cannot be ruled out.” (With inputs from agencies)

Italy: Strongest quake in 40 years near supervolcano prompts evacuations

The Italian government is planning for a possible mass evacuation of tens of thousands of people who live around the Campi Flegrei super volcano near Naples, officials said on Thursday.

The new measures, which include a scheme to check on the strength of buildings in the area after months of repeated earthquakes, will be discussed at a cabinet meeting later in the day, a government statement said.

Campi Flegrei, or Phlegraean Fields from the Greek word for "burning," lies some 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from Naples and is dotted with towns and villages, including Pozzuoli, Agnano and Bacoli, which have a combined population of more than 500,000.

The caldera is dotted with 24 craters and is a much bigger volcano than the nearby Vesuvius, which destroyed the ancient Roman city of Pompeii in 79 AD.

It has been jolted by more than 1,100 earthquakes in the last month alone, including a 4.0 trembler on Monday and a 4.2 magnitude quake last week -- the strongest in the area for four decades.

Experts say the increased seismic activity is probably linked to a phenomenon known as bradyseism, when the earth rises, or falls, depending on the cycle, caused by the filling or emptying of underground magma chambers.

There is not an imminent threat of an eruption, most volcanologists say, but with the ground currently rising by 1.5 cm (0.59 inches) a month, there is concern over the impact on local buildings.

Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said this week evacuations would only be triggered in case of "extreme necessity".

The cabinet is also expected to direct more resources to local civil protection agencies to ensure they can swiftly intervene in case of emergency and to fund a communication campaign to raise public awareness, Musumeci said.

Local media reported that a group of hospitals in the area would start evacuation tests from Friday to make sure they are ready to face stronger quakes or eruptions.

The last time Campi Flegrei suffered a comparable burst of earthquakes was in the 1980s. On that occasion, some 40,000 people were temporarily evacuated from nearby Pozzuoli.

The last significant eruption was in 1538. One of its biggest eruptions took place 39,000 years ago and might have led to the extinction of Neanderthal man, researchers say. Magma from that blast has been found in Greenland, some 4,500 km away.

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The Italian government is planning for a possible mass evacuation of tens of thousands of people who live around the Campi Flegrei super volcano near Naples, officials said on Thursday.

The Italian government is planning for a possible mass evacuation of tens of thousands of people who live around the Campi Flegrei super volcano near Naples, officials said on Thursday. The new measures, which include a scheme to check on the strength of buildings in the area after months of repeated earthquakes, will be discussed at a cabinet meeting later in the day, a government statement said. Campi Flegrei, or Phlegraean Fields from the Greek word for "burning," lies some 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from Naples and is dotted with towns and villages, including Pozzuoli, Agnano and Bacoli, which have a combined population of more than 500,000. The caldera is dotted with 24 craters and is a much bigger volcano than the nearby Vesuvius, which destroyed the ancient Roman city of Pompeii in 79 AD. It has been jolted by more than 1,100 earthquakes in the last month alone, including a 4.0 trembler on Monday and a 4.2 magnitude quake last week -- the strongest in the area for four decades. Experts say the increased seismic activity is probably linked to a phenomenon known as bradyseism, when the earth rises, or falls, depending on the cycle, caused by the filling or emptying of underground magma chambers. There is not an imminent threat of an eruption, most volcanologists say, but with the ground currently rising by 1.5 cm (0.59 inches) a month, there is concern over the impact on local buildings. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said this week evacuations would only be triggered in case of "extreme necessity". The cabinet is also expected to direct more resources to local civil protection agencies to ensure they can swiftly intervene in case of emergency and to fund a communication campaign to raise public awareness, Musumeci said. Local media reported that a group of hospitals in the area would start evacuation tests from Friday to make sure they are ready to face stronger quakes or eruptions. The last time Campi Flegrei suffered a comparable burst of earthquakes was in the 1980s. On that occasion, some 40,000 people were temporarily evacuated from nearby Pozzuoli. The last significant eruption was in 1538. One of its biggest eruptions took place 39,000 years ago and might have led to the extinction of Neanderthal man, researchers say. Magma from that blast has been found in Greenland, some 4,500 km away. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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