Strongest earthquake in years strikes volcanic area near Naples, injuring four

Latest reports show 21 people were injured, with two seriously wounded and 18 families evacuated as a result of the 4.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday, with its epicentre in the Campi Flegrei area of Naples.The earthquake, measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 19:49 at a depth of approximately 3 km between the towns of Pozzuoli and Quarto.Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) recorded 10 aftershocks following the magnitude 4.7 earthquake. It said Friday's tremor was the strongest since seismic activity intensified in the Phlegraean Fields, a volcanic area west of Naples that has experienced increasing unrest in recent years. The quake was felt across Naples and neighbouring communities.Damaged buildings and power outagesCivil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said damage was reported to residential buildings and several churches. The quake also caused rockfalls from tuff cliffs, power outages, and disruption to rail and metro services.Rail services on the Cumana and Circumflegrea lines, which connect Naples with communities in the Phlegraean Fields, were suspended while safety inspections were carried out.The port of Pozzuoli, which operates the most frequent services to the islands of Procida and Ischia, has been closed because the quay is unusable. However, rail services resumed overnight at the Naples hub. The earthquake caused delays of more than six hours.Many people fled into the streets after the quake, while power outages were reported in parts of Naples and the surrounding metropolitan area.The area, site of Europe's largest volcanic crater, is home to frequent seismic activity. In June 2025, a 4.6 magnitude earthquake shook the Campi Flegrei area west of Naples.