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Powerful Earthquake Rattles Naples' Campi Flegrei, Sparks Fear Among Residents
Breaking News: A strong earthquake hit Italy’s Campi Flegrei overnight, shaking Naples and alarming residents. Buildings were damaged, schools closed, and several people were hospitalized due to injuries and panic. Officials are monitoring the situation closely.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-13
Powerful Earthquake Rattles Naples' Campi Flegrei, Sparks Fear Among Residents

A powerful earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields) area in southern Italy early Thursday morning, causing panic among residents and damaging buildings. The tremor, recorded at a depth of 2.5 kilometers at approximately 1:25 AM, was the strongest in the region in 10 months, according to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).

 

The quake, followed by multiple aftershocks, startled residents from their sleep. "We can’t go on like this, we can’t sleep. We’re scared," a local resident in the Bagnoli district of Naples told Local Team news service.

 

Damage and Injuries Reported

Images shared by Italian media showed smashed car windows and damage to historic buildings, including a church in Bagnoli. Schools in the area were ordered to remain closed on Thursday as a precautionary measure.

 

One woman suffered injuries when her ceiling collapsed, while several others sought medical attention for minor wounds caused by shattered glass. In total, 11 people visited local hospitals, though many were cases of panic rather than physical harm, Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi confirmed.

 

Authorities Monitoring the Situation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that she was closely monitoring developments and maintaining contact with emergency officials. Mayor Manfredi described the quake as "particularly intense," noting that while similar in magnitude to last year’s tremor, its epicenter was closer to Naples, making the effects more severe in the city.

 

Some frightened residents attempted to enter the former NATO base in Bagnoli seeking shelter, though authorities quickly restored order.

 

A Region Prone to Seismic Activity

The Campi Flegrei caldera, Europe’s largest, has long been a site of volcanic activity. Measuring approximately 12 by 15 kilometers, it extends from the outskirts of Naples into the sea.

 

While the area frequently experiences tremors, many locals remain on edge after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck in May 2024, the most powerful in four decades. In that instance, there were no major injuries or structural damage.

 

Experts note that while seismic activity in the region is closely monitored, the likelihood of a full-scale eruption remains low. The last major eruption, 40,000 years ago, was the most powerful in the Mediterranean. In the 1980s, increased activity prompted the evacuation of thousands from nearby Pozzuoli, briefly transforming it into a ghost town.

 

As aftershocks continue to be recorded, authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines.
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ItalyEarthquake

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