The southern Italian city of Naples and its surroundings were hit early Thursday morning by a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4. informs TASR according to the report of the DPA agency. The tremors occurred shortly before six o’clock in the morning. A large number of people ran into the streets in panic. According to official data, the epicenter of the earthquake was located in the area of the Flegreian Fields (Campi Flegrei). It is a so-called supervolcano that stretches from the western part of the city to the island of Ischia. Major material damage after the earthquake has not yet been reported.
- A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 hit the Naples area early in the morning.
- The tremor occurred at 05:51 local time and drove residents into the streets.
- The epicenter was located in the Phlegrean Fields area of the so-called supervolcano.
- The earthquake caused panic, but major material damage has not yet been reported.
- For precautionary reasons, several schools in Naples remained closed on Thursday.
Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) said the earthquake occurred at 05:51. It was one of the strongest in this region in recent years, writes DPA. The Phlegrean fields are an area with high volcanic activity and numerous minor earthquakes. However, a year ago they also measured an earthquake there with a magnitude of 4.6.
The epicenter was now, according to available information, located in the sea, specifically in the waters in the area between the Neapolitan suburbs of Pozzuoli and Bacoli. However, the tremors were also felt in several Neapolitan districts. For preventive reasons, several schools in the city will remain closed on Thursday. Naples is located directly at the foot of Mount Vesuvius and approximately three million people live in its immediate vicinity.
