Naples residents sleep outdoors after overnight earthquake shakes region

Many residents of Naples and surrounding areas spent the night in the open after a strong earthquake rattled the region early Thursday, shaking buildings and sending debris tumbling onto the streets.

The 4.4-magnitude tremor struck at 01:25 local time (00:25 GMT) at a shallow depth of three kilometers (two miles), according to Italian seismologists. The US Geological Survey recorded it as a 4.2-magnitude quake occurring 10 kilometers deep.

In the town of Pozzuoli, near the epicenter, one person was rescued from the rubble of a partially collapsed house, authorities confirmed. There were no immediate reports of fatalities, but the quake caused power outages in parts of Naples, heightening concerns among residents already wary of the region’s seismic activity.

Naples sits atop the Phlegraean Fields, a sprawling volcanic caldera known for its underground instability. Experts have long warned of the potential for significant seismic activity in the area. While Thursday’s tremor was not catastrophic, it reignited fears of more substantial quakes in the future.

Authorities urged residents to remain cautious, as aftershocks were possible. Emergency teams were dispatched to assess structural damage, and local officials said they would continue monitoring the situation closely.

For now, many in Naples and nearby towns remain outdoors, uncertain about returning home amid ongoing seismic activity.