Naples Region Paralyzed by Strongest Earthquake in 40 Years, Leaving Several Injured

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei supervolcano region near Naples, injuring 21 people, damaging buildings, and halting local infrastructure in the strongest seismic event in four decades.

Epicenter at Campi Flegrei Supervolcano

At 19:46, seismographs registered an earthquake whose epicenter was located in the Campi Flegrei region. These areas encompass Naples and its surroundings, featuring a 13-kilometer-wide supervolcano caldera at the center of which lies the city of Pozzuoli, where the earthquake was felt most severely.

Damaged Homes and Injuries

Subsequent tremors were recorded at 22:00 and just before midnight. According to the Italian Civil Protection, 21 people were injured, with the two most seriously affected currently hospitalized. Several uninhabited buildings collapsed, and others sustained wall damage. For individuals unable to return home, nearly 200 accommodation places were prepared in Pozzuoli.

Government Response and Coordination

Local authorities are committed to minimizing inconvenience for the affected families. Civil Protection and Maritime Policy Minister Nello Musumeci stated that he spoke with the Prefect of Naples and remains in constant contact with the head of the National Department of Civil Protection, who immediately convened the Crisis Unit. The situation is being monitored with utmost attention to ensure full coordination of all operational structures.

Infrastructure Disruptions and Power Outages

According to the Italian daily “Corriere Della Sera,” power outages also occurred due to a collapsed utility pole. Tremors were additionally recorded by residents of the nearby islands of Procida and Ischia, with numerous calls placed to the fire department regarding stuck elevators or falling debris. Railway traffic around Naples was suspended to inspect infrastructure integrity but resumed around 1:30 AM. The port in Pozzuoli was also closed due to cracks on the access roads.

Seismic Outlook and Historical Context

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is closely tracking the situation. According to seismologists, this is the strongest earthquake in Campania—the region with its capital in Naples—in 40 years. Lucia Pappalardo, director of the Vesuvius Observatory, explained to a Campania television station that tremors will continue in the coming days, noting that seismic activity has increased over the past three years and similar events can be expected. She added that this is the 11th tremor above magnitude 4, following previous tremors in the area in March of this year as well as in September and March 2025.