On May 20, 2024, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the Phlegraean Fields, an area of ancient volcanic centers west of Naples, Italy. The seismic event resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of individuals, including 140 inmates from a women’s prison in Pozzuoli. A dozen apartment buildings were also evacuated, displacing about 40 families.

The quake, which is the strongest ever recorded in the region, caused major traffic congestion as residents sought safety. Around 500 people opted to sleep in vehicles or tent cities set up by the civil protection agency. No injuries were reported, and structural damage was minimal.

In Bacoli and surrounding areas, a total of 150 smaller tremors were recorded overnight, adding to residents’ fears. The Vesuvius Observatory identified the epicenter near the Solfatara volcano. The Italian Civil Protection Agency is reportedly updating emergency evacuation plans due to increased seismic activity observed since 2022.

In response, Bacoli Mayor Josi Gerardo Della Ragione closed schools for inspections and convened a Municipal Operations Centre to address issues arising from the quake. Residents of the Campi Flegrei area, which sits over a 12-kilometer caldera, have been experiencing periodic ground uplift known as bradyseism since the early 1980s, contributing to ongoing seismic concerns.