Date: July 31, 2026
By Kimberly Wilson
NAPLES, Italy — A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei volcanic area near the southern Italian city of Naples on Friday evening, causing power outages, minor structural damage, and widespread panic as thousands of residents rushed into the streets. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of fatalities, though several people sustained minor injuries.
According to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the earthquake struck at 7:46 p.m. local time at a shallow depth of approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 miles). The epicentre was located in the Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields), a densely populated volcanic caldera west of Naples that has experienced increasing seismic activity in recent years.
The tremor was felt across Naples and surrounding communities, including Pozzuoli, where residents fled homes, businesses, and public buildings in fear of stronger aftershocks. Emergency services responded to numerous reports of cracked walls, fallen debris, and damaged buildings.
Italian media described the earthquake as one of the strongest ever recorded in the Campi Flegrei area, a region closely monitored because of its volcanic activity. The shaking triggered temporary power outages in several neighbourhoods and disrupted local rail and metro services, leaving many commuters stranded during the evening rush.
Firefighters and civil protection teams were deployed to inspect damaged buildings and assist residents. Authorities said they received reports of falling masonry, damaged roads, and debris blocking some streets, but no major building collapses were immediately confirmed. Emergency workers also helped residents who chose to spend the night outdoors due to fears of additional tremors.
The Campi Flegrei volcanic area has experienced persistent ground uplift and frequent earthquake swarms over the past several years, prompting scientists to intensify monitoring of the region. Although experts say the recent increase in seismic activity does not necessarily indicate an imminent volcanic eruption, authorities continue to closely observe developments because of the area's large population and geological history.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government said it was monitoring the situation closely alongside civil protection authorities. Local officials urged residents to remain calm, follow emergency instructions, and avoid entering damaged buildings until safety inspections had been completed.
Italy is one of Europe's most seismically active countries, and earthquakes are relatively common due to the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Italian peninsula. While Friday's quake caused mainly minor damage, it revived memories of past devastating earthquakes that have claimed thousands of lives across the country.
Authorities continued assessing the extent of the damage late Friday, while seismologists warned that aftershocks remain possible in the coming hours and days. Emergency services remain on alert as inspections continue across the Naples metropolitan area and surrounding communities.