Naples residents camp outdoors after overnight quake

In the early hours of Thursday morning, a significant earthquake struck near Naples, Italy, causing many residents to spend the night outdoors or in their vehicles. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 4. 4, occurred at 1:25 AM local time, with its epicenter located close to Pozzuoli, a coastal town. The tremor was powerful enough to shake buildings and dislodge debris, leading to damage in various areas. People were understandably frightened and chose to leave their homes, gathering in the streets for safety. Some cars were reported to have broken windows, and a local church's bell tower sustained damage. Firefighters were seen using a cherry-picker to assess the situation and inspect the church's bell tower for further damage. Many residents were concerned about the possibility of additional tremors following the initial quake. As the night progressed, people walked through the streets wearing coats to keep warm, as the temperatures were quite chilly. The earthquake was felt throughout Naples, and power outages were reported in several neighborhoods. Italian seismologists from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reassured the public that there was no immediate threat of a volcanic eruption from the nearby Campi Flegrei volcanic crater. In Bagnoli, which is near the epicenter, a woman was rescued from the rubble of a partially collapsed house, suffering only minor injuries. Naples is situated on the Campi Flegrei, a volcanic basin that makes the region susceptible to seismic activity. This earthquake was noted to be the largest in the Campi Flegrei area in 40 years, and it was followed by as many as six weaker aftershocks. Residents continued to stay outside, fearing that more significant tremors could occur. One local resident expressed concern to Italian television, stating that the recent tremors felt different from those experienced in the past two years. The mayor of Bacoli, Josi Gerardo Della Ragione, mentioned that it had been a challenging night, although his town did not suffer any damage. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was actively monitoring the situation and remained in close contact with her officials. In response to the earthquake, schools in other parts of the region were closed to allow for safety inspections of buildings. The volcanic basin, which was formed after an eruption thousands of years ago, is home to over 800,000 residents. Local officials are particularly worried about the increased rate of 'bradyseism,' which refers to ground movement that causes changes in the land's surface height. Francesca Bianco from INGV informed the Ansa news agency that the rate of ground rising has tripled recently, increasing from 1 cm to 3 cm per month. Edoardo Cosenza, a civil protection councillor in Naples, emphasized on social media that when the speed of bradyseism increases, it is crucial to take action. Residents are encouraged to reach out if they are in the affected area and it is safe to do so.