Strong Earthquake Hits Campi Flegrei Region Near Naples

A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei region near Naples on Friday evening, marking the strongest tremor to hit the area in approximately 40 years. The quake, which occurred at 7:46 pm, was part of an ongoing seismic swarm and was felt across Naples, the Sorrento peninsula, and the islands of Ischia and Procida. Reports on the number of injuries vary, with one source citing 21 people injured and another reporting at least 26. At least five individuals were taken to the hospital. The earthquake caused power outages affecting up to 100,000 households in the Agnano area and disrupted public transport, including high speed trains and ferry services to the islands. In the city of Pozzuoli, the quake triggered landslides and caused parts of a cliff and several unoccupied buildings to collapse. Approximately 300 people were evacuated from their homes in Pozzuoli, and nine buildings were deemed unsafe. Many residents spent the night on the streets due to fear of further collapses. Italian Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci warned that volcanic activity is not yet over. Separately, the Etna volcano experienced a lava eruption on Thursday. While the eruption produced lava flows and ash clouds, it did not result in a state of catastrophe, and the wind carried ash away from the Catania airport, preventing closures.