Seismic Events in Naples: An Update from the Prefecture

This morning, a summit was held with the Prefecture of Naples to discuss the situation in light of the seismic events recorded in the last 48 hours in the Campi Flegrei and Vesuvius areas. In attendance, besides the mayors and the prefect, were the regional Civil Protection, the Asl Napoli 1, the Asl Napoli 2 North, law enforcement, and the Vesuvius Observatory. During the summit, it was noted in a statement from the Prefecture that 'no particular critical issues were highlighted, as no reports from the populations of these municipalities were received.' 'Regarding the quake that occurred yesterday, with a magnitude of 3.9 and an epicenter at sea, the Mayor of Bacoli reported that the Municipality received about ten reports and requests for inspections at homes, mainly located in the historic center of that territory, following which the necessary checks were carried out, finding no structural damage, although, as a mere precaution, a family of five people was moved away from their home and some road sections were closed due to the fall of plaster from deteriorated cornices,' the note continues. About the possibility of landslides from the cliffs overlooking the sea, the Port Authority announced that, the note continues, 'from the checks carried out by sea yesterday along the Phlegraean coast, no empirical discrepancy was found compared to the ordinary state of the cliffs, although reserving to repeat the checks more analytically.' Moreover, during the meeting, the situation was also discussed 'with reference to the earthquake recorded at the base of the crater of Vesuvius, this morning at 5:55, by the seismographs of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, of magnitude 3.1, which was followed by two other events of lesser intensity, of magnitude 1.9 and 1.8. According to experts from the said Institute, the event, although significant, is not indicative of particular dynamics. Also in relation to this shock - the note concludes - no reports of damage and critical situations were received. However, attention remains high on the progress of such phenomena, with continuous monitoring and verification of the most vulnerable areas by all the institutional bodies appointed to intervene, according to their competences, in case of necessity.' 'I thank the prefect, with whom we are constantly in touch, for the sensitivity shown in convening this summit. We are all working together to address the phenomenon and check for any critical issues, but above all to show that we are here, and we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the territory - states the mayor of Pozzuoli, Gigi Manzoni - We have to deal with bradyseism as always, and today we have the tools to do it safely.' 'A fundamental point - he continued - that should not be underestimated is that of communication, which for this phenomenon already has its directives. It is necessary to continue to inform oneself through official sources: anyone who holds any level of responsibility must try not to 'spectacularize' because it risks entering into complicated social dynamics. Here tourism, commerce, and the serenity of the citizens are at stake, and we work 24 hours a day to ensure the serenity of all.'