Saturday, August 1, 2026

Strongest quake in 40 years rocks Italy’s volcanic region


Strongest quake in 40 years rocks Italy’s volcanic region, injures dozens (VIDEOS)
RT


A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei volcanic region near Naples in southern Italy on Friday evening, injuring at least 26 people, two of them critically, and damaging dozens of buildings.

The earthquake hit at 7:46pm local time at a shallow depth of about 3km, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Its epicenter was between the towns of Pozzuoli and Quarto. Civil protection officials said that it was the strongest quake recorded in the area since continuous instrumental monitoring began, surpassing two magnitude 4.6 tremors registered in 2025.

The quake was felt across Naples, Ischia, Procida, and much of the Gulf of Naples. Seismographs have since recorded more than 60 aftershocks, the strongest measuring magnitude 3.8 late on Friday and another of 3.1 early on Saturday. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci warned that the seismic swarm is continuing and that further earthquakes above magnitude 3 remain possible.

The worst damage was reported in Pozzuoli, where falling masonry, collapsing facades, and landslides damaged homes, businesses, and parked vehicles, according to multiple videos posted online.

Cracks also appeared at the town’s commercial port, forcing its closure and suspending ferry and hydrofoil services to the nearby islands of Ischia and Procida.

Power outages affected around 100,000 customers after a high-voltage pylon collapsed in Naples’ Agnano district.

Authorities in Pozzuoli initially evacuated around 250 people after the quake. As inspections continued, at least nine buildings were declared unsafe and around 290 residents, were ordered from their homes, with the number expected to rise as building checks continue.

Local media reported that many residents chose to spend the night outdoors or in their cars rather than return to their homes.


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