At least 26 people sustained injuries after a 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Naples in southern Italy on Friday evening. The quake, recorded at 7:46 pm, is the strongest to affect the area in four decades.

The tremor caused widespread disruptions including power outages, halted public transport, and damage to a pier in Campi Flegrei, home to Europe's largest volcanic crater. A portion of a cliff collapsed, alongside several unoccupied buildings.

Impact and Response

  • Five injured individuals were hospitalized.
  • Approximately 300 residents of Pozzuoli, near the epicenter, were evacuated following landslides triggered by the quake.
  • Many locals spent the night outdoors, fearing further building collapses.
  • One person survived a building collapse miraculously, according to rescue workers.

Italy’s civil protection minister, Nello Musumeci, cautioned that volcanic activity remains ongoing. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 3 km and was felt across Naples, the island of Ischia, and as far as the Sorrento peninsula.

Aftershocks and Damage

Seismographs recorded around 60 aftershocks, including a 3.1-magnitude tremor early Saturday morning felt in Bacoli, Pozzuoli, and Naples.

Rescue teams warned of continued risk from mountain collapses. Criticism arose over delayed municipal action despite known instability issues persisting for over a year and a half.

In Pozzuoli, nine buildings have been declared unsafe after inspections, with one building partially collapsing and debris damaging parked cars but causing no injuries.

Residents expressed fear and uncertainty, with some reporting no official guidance following the quake.

Infrastructure Disruptions

  • Firefighters received reports of trapped elevator occupants and a partially collapsed high-voltage pylon affecting power supply to Naples' Agnano area, impacting around 100,000 households.
  • Ferry and hydrofoil services to nearby islands were suspended due to damage at the Pozzuoli pier.
  • High-speed train services experienced delays up to six hours, with some routes rerouted.