Earthquake in Campi Flegrei: 4.4 shock felt in Naples, fear and schools closed

The strongest earthquake in recent years: limited damage, but widespread fear

On the night between March 12th and 13th, at 1:25 am, a strong earthquake of magnitude 4.4 hit the Campi Flegrei area, with epicenter between Bagnoli and PozzuoliThe shock was clearly felt throughout Naples, causing fear among the population who poured into the streets. The earthquake was accompanied by a loud bang, reported by numerous citizens.

Damage Reported: False Ceiling Collapses, Schools Closed

Following the earthquake, some damage to buildings was reported, although limited. In Pozzuoli, the false ceiling of a house collapsed, injuring a woman. Furthermore, damage to the partition walls have been found in some schools, such as theViviani Institute in Posillipo, which was closed for security reasons. The second floor of the Villanova Institute in Via Manzoni was also closed.

Schools in Pozzuoli and the 80th Municipality of Naples remained closed to allow for structural checks, while in Bacoli XNUMX% of students returned to class regularly, according to Mayor Josi della Ragione.

Interventions and safety measures

Civil Protection, together with local authorities, immediately activated emergency plans. A first reception center and a psychological help desk for children have been set up in Bacoli. The Palatrincone in Pozzuoli has been set up as a permanent assistance area, with beds, hot meals and support for those who need it.

The mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, said that 11 people went to the emergency room: most of them for panic attacks, while a woman was injured when the ceiling collapsed.

State of mobilization: the request to the Civil Protection

The prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, clarified that the request for a state of national mobilization is not due to a worsening of the situation, but to the need to have additional resources for managing the emergency. The Campania Region, at the request of the mayors, will officially submit the request to the National Civil Protection Department.

Il President of the Region, Vincenzo De Luca, confirmed the approval of the declaration of general mobilization, emphasizing the need for extraordinary interventions to verify the safety of the buildings and guarantee the necessary support to the families involved.

The Vesuvius Observatory's point: "No imminent eruption, but risk of new tremors"

LNational Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) has confirmed thatand there are no signs of an imminent eruption of the Campi Flegrei supervolcano. However, the bradyseism process, Namely uplift of the ground caused by underground volcanic activity, continues with variable intensity.

"We can expect further seismicity in the coming days,” said Francesca Bianco, director of the INGV Volcanoes Department. Experts are constantly monitoring the situation to assess any developments.