A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Italian city of Naples in the early hours of Thursday, shaking buildings, knocking out power, and injuring at least one person.
The tremor hit at approximately 1:25 a.m. CET, with its epicentre located two kilometres beneath Pozzuoli, a coastal town just west of Naples, according to Italian seismologists and Euronews.
Emergency services reported that a woman in Pozzuoli was rescued by firefighters after suffering non-serious injuries.
Meanwhile, buildings in Naples' Bagnoli district sustained visible damage, including a collapsed ceiling and rubble that damaged several parked cars.
Residents Spend the Night in Cars
The quake caused widespread panic across the area, with many residents spending the night in their cars as a precaution.
On social media, Bagnoli district mayor Josi Gerardo Della Ragione described the experience as a "rough night," but added, “we won't give up a millimetre.”
Tremors also affected a nearby church bell tower, which suffered structural damage. The main quake was followed by six smaller aftershocks, the strongest of which registered at magnitude 1.2.
Electricity outages were reported in several neighbourhoods across Naples, and Italy’s primary rail operator reported delays on several train lines on Thursday morning due to technical checks prompted by the quake.
A rescue coordination centre has been established to support residents affected by the earthquake, and schools in the Bagnoli area were closed to allow engineers to carry out structural safety inspections.
