Earthquakes in a holiday hotspot have led to fears of a volcano eruption and new advice being issued for Brits.
The area near Naples has experienced a seismic swarm this week and the volatile landscape has been shaken by 150 earthquakes in just one day.
The strongest quake having a magnitude of 4.4 and it’s the most powerful seismic activity in the region in the last 40 years.
Hundreds of residents and the inmates of a women’s prison in the seaside town of Pozzuoli were evacuated on Tuesday and schools are currently closed until today, Friday, May 24.
Now the UK Foreign Office has updated advice for travellers to the region – Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields) – which is also close to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii.
It says on its website: “There are several active volcanoes in southern Italy.
“National emergency planning has been updated for Vesuvius as well as the Phlegraean fields, an area that remains active and which has experienced tremors in 2024.
“Read what to do in the event of a volcanic eruption and follow the instructions of the local authorities.”
It links to advice from the Italian government about what to do in the event of an eruption. There is also advice on what to do if lava falls, volcanic bombs and mudslides.
The Campi Flegrei is a volcano that’s the largest of its kind in Europe. However, the last major eruption of the supervolcano was in 1538.
But there’s been a build up of magma or gases beneath the surface which is causing new seismic activity.
Experts don’t think another eruption is likely soon – but around 500,000 people live next to the Campi Flegrei, sparking concern.
There is a red zone where residents would be evacuated in the event of an eruption and this includes the towns of Pozzuoli and Bacoli. Some suburbs of Naples are also in the red zone – including Chiaia and Vomero.
The rest of Naples is in what’s called the yellow zone. These are areas at risk of significant volcanic ash falls during an eruption. Vesuvius and Pompeii lie outside.