A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei area on the evening of Friday, July 31, triggering moments of intense fear across Naples and its province. The quake, recorded at 7:46 pm with its epicenter in the volcanic area, left at least 21 people injured, two of them seriously, and caused damage to several buildings along with disruption to transport services.
The tremor was distinctly felt in Pozzuoli, Bacoli, Bagnoli, Fuorigrotta and in central Naples, where many residents rushed out into the streets. Power outages were reported, along with the suspension of some rail and metro lines.
The most significant damage was recorded in Pozzuoli, where the collapse of a rocky embankment struck several cars and a number of buildings suffered structural damage. Firefighters worked to check the stability of the affected structures and to assist residents. Among the more delicate operations was the rescue of an 80-year-old bedridden man, who was evacuated using an aerial ladder after the stairwell of his building was declared unsafe.
The main quake was followed by an intense seismic swarm, with numerous aftershocks, some exceeding magnitude 3. Many residents spent the night in their cars or at shelter points set up by the Civil Protection Department, as monitoring continues by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and other relevant authorities.
Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani commented on the situation, stating: “I have just spoken with the Prefect of Naples. I am closely following what is happening in Pozzuoli and in the Campi Flegrei area. The government is committed to providing full assistance to all those displaced, and to finding a definitive solution for the redevelopment and safety upgrading of all unsafe buildings.”
