A magnitude-strongest earthquake in 40 years struck Naples, a popular resort city in Italy.
According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) on the 1st (local time), a magnitude 4.7 earthquake hit the Campi Flegrei area west of Naples at 7:46 p.m. the previous day. It was the strongest quake in this region in 40 years, causing a rash of damage including the collapse of numerous empty buildings and landslides. The hypocenter was shallow at a depth of 3 kilometers, 26 people were injured, and at least five were taken to hospitals. The tremor was powerful enough to be felt not only in Naples but also on Ischia island and the Sorrento Peninsula.
According to a compilation of major foreign media including the Guardian and Reuters that day, about 300 residents near Pozzuoli city evacuated. Fearing aftershocks, residents poured into the streets and stayed up all night. Around 60 aftershocks followed, including one of magnitude 3.1, heightening anxiety. In the Agnano area of Naples, a high-voltage transmission tower collapsed, cutting power to 100,000 households. The pier at the Port of Pozzuoli was also damaged, leading to a complete halt of passenger ferries to nearby islands, and high-speed trains were delayed by up to six hours.
Campi Flegrei, where this earthquake struck, is home to the largest volcanic caldera in Europe. Lorenzo Benedetto, president of the Campania Geological Society, said, "This quake was the strongest among those that have occurred on the Phlegraean Plain in the past 40 years." Nello Musumeci, Italy's Minister of civil protection, said, "Volcanic activity is not over yet," urging special caution. Experts point to rising underground pressure as the main cause of this quake and the uplift of the surface. Fabio Florindo, head of INGV, said, "Aftershocks may continue after this quake," and emphasized, "Listen to official announcements and do not be swayed by baseless rumors."
On the other side of the globe in South America, authorities are on high alert to prevent damage from record rains caused by weather anomalies. The National Parks Administration of Argentina (APN) said it will completely restrict access for about 40 days from the 3rd to "Devil's Throat," the signature attraction of Iguazu National Park.
The restrictions are a preemptive response to prepare for a sharp rise in the Iguazu River's level due to heavy rains in southern Brazil triggered by El Niño. The plan appears intended to prevent greater damage, such as structural failure, by dismantling in advance the steel walkway leading to Devil's Throat. According to Brazilian media including Perfil, the park said the move is preventive rather than due to structural problems. Local outlets added that only the Devil's Throat section is currently restricted and other viewing routes in Iguazu National Park are operating normally.
Iguazu Falls is a tourist attraction known as one of the world's three great waterfalls, along with Niagara and Victoria. Among them, Devil's Throat is the core section where about half of the total flow plunges. Recently, the Iguazu River's flow has reached 10,000 to 18,000 cubic meters (m³) per second, far exceeding normal levels. There is precedent: in October last year, a record flow of about 24,000 cubic meters (m³) per second damaged 79 sections of the 1.1-kilometer walkway, prompting authorities to issue a yellow alert and closely monitor changes in water level.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, "El Niño will add fuel to the fire of a warming world," issuing a strong warning on climate change.