May 21, 2026, 11:44May 21, 2026, 11:44
The southern Italian city of Naples and its surroundings have been shaken by a strong earthquake. Shortly before 6 a.m., numerous residents were woken from their sleep by violent earthquakes. Many fled onto the streets.
The quakes lasted about half an hour. According to official information, its epicenter was in the Phlegraean Fields, a so-called supervolcano that extends beyond the west of the city into the Mediterranean. No major damage was initially reported.
The quake had its epicenter in the Phlegean Fields.Image: terremoti.ingv.it
According to the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the strongest tremors occurred at 5:51 a.m. They had a magnitude of 4.4. This made it one of the strongest earthquakes in recent years. A resident reported to the Ansa news agency: “All the furniture was shaking. The earth shook so badly that my wife couldn’t take it anymore: she fled to relatives.” A resident complained: “The earthquake was strong and lasting. It hasn’t stopped at all.”
Morning rush hour traffic affected by quake
The Phlegraean Fields – an area of high volcanic activity – have been hit by numerous small and sometimes strong earthquakes for some time. A year ago, an earthquake of magnitude 4.6 was measured in the Campi Flegrei – literally: burning fields – the strongest it has been in decades. It is feared that a much more violent earthquake could occur one day – without anyone knowing when.
The current quake was centered in the sea, in the waters between the suburbs of Pozzuoli and Bacoli. The tremors were felt on land in various parts of the city. Several schools remained closed for the day for safety reasons. Numerous local train connections were canceled in the morning because routes were closed. New cracks could be seen on houses. At a viewpoint with a panoramic view of the Bay of Naples, an archway partially collapsed.
Around three million people live in Naples and the surrounding area. The large city lies at the foot of the volcano Vesuvius, which has no connection with the Phlegraean Fields. (sda/dpa)