Earthquake at Campi Flegrei: fear in Naples, collapses in Pozzuoli.

A strong earthquake of magnitude 4,4 struck the Campi Flegrei area on the night between March 12 and 13, at precisely 01:25. The earthquake, clearly felt throughout the Neapolitan area, caused moments of great fear among residents, many of whom took to the streets as a precaution.

Details of the earthquake

According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the shock had its epicenter between Bagnoli and Pozzuoli, with a depth of only 2 km. A slightly different figure was recorded by the USGS (United States Geological Survey), which indicated a magnitude of 4,2 and a depth of 10 km, with the epicenter located 3 km from Bacoli. After the first main event, two other shocks of lesser intensity were recorded at 1:40 (magnitude 1,6) and 1:47 (magnitude 1,1), always in the Campi Flegrei area.

Most affected areas

The earthquake was felt in a wide area, including Naples and several neighboring municipalities, including Pozzuoli, Bacoli, Quarto and Monte di Procida. Reports of frightened citizens in the streets came from numerous neighborhoods of Naples, such as Fuorigrotta and Bagnoli, and even from more distant municipalities such as Portici. The epicenter of the main shock was located at sea, near Via Napoli, on the border between Naples and Pozzuoli.

Collapses and damages in Pozzuoli

In Pozzuoli, the Fire Department intervened after a false ceiling collapsed in a home, managing to save a woman who was injured but not in serious condition. Checks were conducted on 9 other buildings to ascertain their stability. In addition to the collapse of the false ceiling, damage was reported to several structures, including the bell tower of the church of Sant'Anna, from which debris fell. In addition, several cars were damaged due to fragments of buildings falling onto the road.

Emergency interventions and measures adopted

Immediately after the shock, emergency operations coordinated by the Prefecture of Naples began. Prefect Michele di Bari called the Rescue Coordination Center to assess the situation and prepare the necessary interventions. Teams of Firefighters, Civil Protection and law enforcement were sent to the site to ensure the safety of the population.

The mayor of Pozzuoli, Luigi Manzoni, confirmed that a seismic swarm is underway and activated emergency numbers to report damage and inconvenience. The mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, also adopted precautionary measures, ordering the closure of schools in the Tenth Municipality (Bagnoli-Fuorigrotta) to allow for checks on the buildings.

Critical situation in Bagnoli

In Bagnoli, the earthquake caused some entrance doors to become blocked, preventing several residents from leaving their homes. The Fire Department intervened to free them, while other people managed to escape through windows. Numerous debris and rubble fell along the streets, damaging vehicles and structures.

Moments of tension occurred outside the former NATO base in Bagnoli, where hundreds of people took refuge to spend the night in their cars. After the gates were closed, some citizens forced entry, protesting the failure to open an area that should be accessible in case of emergency. After a few moments of tension, the situation stabilized.

Emergency plans and safety protocols

The Campania Civil Protection has activated the regional operations room to monitor the situation and provide assistance to citizens. In Naples, waiting areas have been set up in Viale della Liberazione and Piazzale Ippodromo, as well as a reception area in the headquarters of the Decima Municipalità in Via Acate.

Today, at the Prefecture in Naples, an operational protocol to be observed in schools in the event of a seismic swarm will be signed. The document will be signed by the mayors of the Phlegraean area, the director of the Regional School Office and the director of the regional Civil Protection, during a meeting of the Relief Coordination Center.