Italy: Strongest quake in 40 years near supervolcano prompts evacuations

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.

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.

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)