A 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit the
highly seismic Campi Flegrei area near Naples Tuesday bringing
residents out onto the streets and forcing the suspension of
local train services in the latest in a long string of scary
tremors in the area.
Schools and the local branch of the University of Naples were
evacuated.
The tremblor was clearly felt in Naples too, where schools were
also evacuated.
A 'seismic swarm' ensued with a series of smaller quakes, so far
seven in number.
Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci summoned a summit of
the civil protection department to address the quakes.
A local elderly couple, Matteo and Rota, aged 86 and 83, who
have lived in the Campi for over 50 years, told reporters:
"first there was a very loud roar and then the floor seemed to
be about to explode.
"I heard a loud noise and then the floor wouldn't stop moving -
says Rita - there was first a milder shock, then a very strong
one.
"Glasses and flower holders fell. Here everyone is on the
street, we are tired even of leaving our house, it will never
end".
The 4.4 shock was clearly felt also in nearby towns, such as
Quarto.
"Now all the traffic is blocked - adds Rita - and the problem is
always the same. The parents ran to pick up the children from
school, and it is understandable, but if we really had to
escape, the streets would be blocked there would be no
possibility of escape".
Local residents have been pressing the authorities for greater
measures to ensure they are protected from the ever more
recurrent quakes.
The Campi Flegrei area, also known the Phlegrean Fields in
English, is currently being affected by bradyseism, or ground
uplift, and there have been a series of earthquakes over the
last year.
Civil Protection Minister Musumeci has appointed a special
commissioner for the Campi Flegrei area to take care of
risk-prevention measures.
The minister has complained about how urban development has been
allowed in the volcanic area over the decades.
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