Naples and Gargano hit by earthquake: 100 evacuated in Naples, schools closed in Puglia

The earth shook again in the Phlegraean Fields, thein the province of Naples, with a magnitude 3.9 shock recorded at 13pm today, Saturday 32 March. The epicenter was located at a depth of about 2,5 km. The earthquake was clearly felt not only in the Phlegraean area, but also in the western neighborhoods of Naples and in the Giuglianese area.

Already on the evening of March 14, another tremor of magnitude 3.5 had raised the alarm, leading the prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, to convene the Rescue Coordination Center for a comprehensive assessment of the situation. Following checks and technical inspections, approximately 40 families were evacuated from a building in the Bagnoli district.

Bagnoli evacuation: vulnerable and disabled people evacuated

The stability check of the building was carried out by the Fire Brigade shortly after midnight. At 4 am, the order was given to evacuate the building, located on one of the main streets of the Bagnoli district, opposite the former Italsider factory. The building, dating back to the late 1960s, did not show any evident structural failures, but internal investigations highlighted critical issues that justified its eviction.

On the spot I am Firefighters, state police, municipal police and health workers intervened to manage the situation. People with disabilities were transported by ambulance. Many of the displaced have found temporary accommodation on their own, a sign of an active solidarity network among citizens.

Il Prefect Michele di Bari reassured on the management of the crisis: "I understand the stress of the population, but the ASL and the Civil Protection are doing everything possible to support the citizens. The checks of the buildings will continue in the next few hours. "

New tremors in Puglia: Gargano trembles

Puglia has also been hit by a series of seismic events. The area affected is that of the Gargano coast, where the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) recorded 14 tremors between the evening of March 14 and the morning of March 15.

The strongest shock occurred at 20pm on March 37 with a magnitude of 14, followed by other, milder ones, with magnitudes between 4.7 and 2.0. The last seismic event was detected at 6:03 am on March 15 with a magnitude of 2.3.

Situation under control in Foggia

Despite the strong shock, in the No significant structural damage was recorded in the province of Foggia and the rest of Puglia. However, fear has pushed the mayors of several municipalities to prepare extraordinary safety measures. The mayor of San Nicandro Garganico, Matteo Vocale, has ordered the school closures for the day of March 15 to allow for the necessary checks on school buildings.

even the The mayor of Apricena, Antonio Potenza, has activated a plan to control public and religious buildings, reassuring citizens that no significant damage has been found at the moment.

Experts: Distinct seismic events

Despite the almost contemporaneity of the earthquakes in Campi Flegrei and Puglia, Experts rule out a link between the two events. La geologist Giovanna Amedei, president of the Order of Geologists of Puglia, said: "The tremors recorded in Puglia and in Campi Flegrei are separate events. It is understandable that the population is worried, but it is important to remember that we live in an area with medium-high seismicity. We must always be prepared and know the safety measures to adopt in the event of an earthquake."

The warning from the Civil Protection

Il head of Civil Protection, Fabio Ciciliano, underlined the importance of constant monitoring of seismic risk. In a document sent to the volunteers involved in the control operations in Puglia, we read: “It is not possible to make exact predictions about the location, magnitude and timing of an earthquake. However, it is essential to increase awareness on the matter, verify the vulnerability of strategic buildings and disseminate clear information to citizens on the behaviors to adopt in case of emergency.”

The criticisms of the former mayor de Magistris

Former mayor of Naples, Luigi de Magistris, has expressed criticism over the management of the crisis in the Phlegraean Fields: “The scientific community had reported an increase in seismicity and the rising of the ground, warning signs of stronger shocks. Why were no preventive measures taken? Why were no reception areas set up for the population?".

De Magistris also has denounced the closing of the gates of the former NATO area, complaining about the poor preparation of the institutions in the face of seismic risk.

Southern Italy continues to deal with seismic risk. Although the two phenomena in Puglia and Campi Flegrei are unconnected, both underline the importance of constant vigilance and greater awareness of the population on safety measures.a. Civil Protection and local authorities are working to ensure the safety of citizens and limit future risks.