In the early hours of this morning (March 13), Naples experienced a 4.4 magnitude earthquake, which caused power supply problems in parts of the city, and damage to some buildings.
While this is not considered a significant earthquake, it’s concerning news for those who have trips booked there. So, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about travelling to the city right now – read on for all the latest information.
Is it safe to travel to Naples?
At 1.25am local time last night, the Campi Flegrei, a volcanic basin near Naples (and home to around 800,000 people), experienced a 4.4 magnitude earthquake which, according to the BBC, was the biggest in the region for the last 40 years.
Italian seismologists estimate that the epicentre was a shallow depth of 3km, between Pozzuoli and Bagnoli on the coast. There were six aftershocks, and power supplies across parts of Naples were disrupted, with locals choosing to gather on the streets of the city.
According to ITV, at least 11 people have received hospital treatment for their injuries – one woman was injured by a collapsed ceiling, and others were cut by broken glass – and schools were closed today so that their buildings could be checked for stability. Thankfully, no deaths or more serious injuries have been reported.
Are more earthquakes expected in Naples?
The region is being monitored, and the ground around Naples is rising by three centimetres per month right now. But according to Il Mattino, who spoke to Carlo Doglioni, president of INGV, ‘At the moment, there is no crisis situation.’
He went on to say that while things are ‘normal’, there could be more aftershocks, but reassuringly there is no evidence of a magma rise.
Have flights to Naples been cancelled?
Currently there are flight delays reported from Naples International Airport, but as yet, there are not reports of cancellations. If you’re flying into or out from Naples International, keep an eye on the latest updates from Skyscanner.
What is the UK Foreign Office saying?
Though the FCDO is yet to issue advice specific to Naples, the ‘earthquakes’ section of the safety and security page reads: ‘Many parts of Italy lie on a major seismic fault line, which means that minor tremors and earthquakes happen regularly. Learn more about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.’
What are your rights if you’ve booked a trip to Naples?
Currently, travelling to Naples has not been advised against, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to cancel your trip to Naples without penalty. To see what can be done about cancelling or rescheduling your trip, contact your travel provider directly.
There have been several earthquake events in Europe over the last few months, such as in Lisbon and Santorini. Keep an eye on our Travel news page for all the latest updates.
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