A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Naples, Italy, at 1:25 AM on March 13, causing panic among tourists and significant building damage. The earthquake, the strongest in 40 years, had its epicenter in Pozzuoli and was followed by two aftershocks. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with reports of individuals trapped and power disruptions affecting the region.
On March 13, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Naples, Italy, at 1:25 AM local time, leading to considerable panic among tourists who fled into the streets. Reports indicated residents heard a significant roar shortly before the earthquake caused substantial destruction, marking it as the most severe quake in the area in four decades, as stated by The Mirror.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in Pozzuoli, a coastal district of Naples, and was followed by at least two aftershocks, according to local media. The earthquake, which lasted approximately 20 seconds, severely disrupted the power supply throughout Naples. In the aftermath, many individuals were compelled to spend the night outdoors, with some trapped beneath the debris.
Rescue teams promptly responded to the disaster; firefighters saved a woman who was trapped under a collapsed ceiling in Pozzuoli, while teams in Bagnoli worked to extract additional residents caught in their homes.
Images emerging from the incident depicted locals escaping through windows, alongside visuals of damaged structures and vehicles with broken windscreens. Reports indicated that the tremors were also felt in nearby regions of Campania. To assess the damage, a rescue coordination center has been established, and schools in Pozzuoli, along with adjacent neighborhoods, were closed to evaluate building stability.
Interestingly, just days prior, a similar earthquake of magnitude 4.0 occurred in India’s capital, Delhi, where locals reported comparable experiences of hearing a roar before the tremors.
In summary, the 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Naples represents a significant seismic event for the region, bringing with it fear, destruction, and extensive emergency responses. The immediate aftermath has seen emergency services working diligently to assist those affected and to evaluate the safety of buildings. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by urban centers in seismic regions, and the need for emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
