A tremor of magnitude 5.0 drives people into the streets. Tourists are also concerned. Initially, there is no information about damage.
An earthquake in southern Italy has frightened residents and tourists on the evening. In the regions of Calabria and Puglia, people ran out of their houses onto the streets. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported the quake’s magnitude as 5.0.
The epicenter was located near the small town of Pietrapaola in the hinterland. Tremors were also felt in larger cities along the Mediterranean, such as Bari and Brindisi.
Earthquake in Italy: No reports of injuries yet
The strongest tremor was measured around 9:45 PM, according to the institute. The earthquakes occurred at a depth of about 20 kilometers. Initially, there was no information about injuries or significant damage, according to the fire department and other authorities.
Also interesting
Southern Italy has been shaken by repeated earthquakes in recent months. Just a few days ago, the area around Naples was hit. In the Bay of Marina Grande in the resort town of Bacoli, to the west of the million-city, a rock outcrop collapsed into the sea. According to authorities, the debris fell into the water at a short distance from swimmers, and there were no injuries. Several trains in the Naples metro were stopped as a precaution.
People in Naples fled outside after strong earthquakes (archive image from May of this year).
© DPA Images | Alessandro Garofalo
The Phlegraean Fields, an area of high volcanic activity in the Campania region, have been plagued by numerous small and sometimes strong earthquakes for some time. Just last May, the Campi Flegrei – literally: burning fields – were shaken by the strongest earthquakes in 40 years, measuring 4.4 in magnitude. For more than ten years, a yellow alert level has been in effect for the area, calling for caution.
bün/dpa