Campi Flegrei, the warning from the Civil Protection:“Intensify monitoring, possible orange alert”

Nello Musumeci assures that "the government, with its operational and scientific structures, constantly follows the situation, in continuous contact with local institutions"

ROME – “The volcanic activity in the Campi Flegrei, connected to bradyseism, appears to be constantly evolving.It cannot be ruled out that, should this situation persist, can move to the orange alert level”.This was declared by the Minister for Civil Protection Nello Musumeci, assuring that "the government, with its operational and scientific structures, constantly follows the situation, in continuous contact with local institutions".The statement from the minister for civil protection comes after a few days of intense work between the national department, the Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology and the Major Risks Commission.

The Department of Civil Protection has in fact acquired the opinion of the Major Risks Commission - Volcanic Risk Sector, which met on 27 and 28 October at the request of the Head of Department, Fabrizio Curcio, for a further technical-scientific study on the phenomena underway in the Campi area Flegrei. During the meeting the Commission began hearings of a series of experts, Italian and foreign, with specific experience on the Campi Flegrei.

Based on what emerged and the assessments carried out, the Commission notes that all the scientific results strengthen the evidence of the involvement of magma in the current bradyseismic process of ground uplift.THEIn particular, he believes that the overall picture - although not of univocal interpretation - However, it does bring out the possibility that the processes underway may evolve further.The Commission, therefore, deems it appropriate that both the monitoring activities by the centers of expertise and the prevention activities by the various components of the National Civil Protection Service are further intensified and prepared for the possible need to rapidly move towards a higher alert level than the current yellow.

The Department, on the basis of the assessments of the Major Risks Commission relating in particular to the interconnection between the bradyseismic phenomenon and the possible evolution of volcanic activity, asked the Competence Centers, and in particular the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, to implement and further refine the monitoring system, so as to be able to promptly detect a change in the state of the volcano connected to the possible rise of magma.
“The National Civil Protection System – declares the Head of Department, Fabrizio Curcio – will continue and intensify the activities it is already carrying out with respect to seismic risk and volcanic risk in the Phlegraean area, in particular with the full involvement of the Campania Region, the Prefecture -UTG of Naples and the Mayors of the Phlegraean municipalities, also with respect to the possibility of a move to a higher alert level".

In fact, it is worth remembering that since 2012, in relation to the increase in some monitoring parameters, the alert level on the Campi Flegrei has been yellow and that in particular in recent weeks the situation has been followed with even greater attention, as evidenced by the Decree Law 12 October 2023, n.140, issued by the Government to give an organic response to the bradyseism phenomenon with structural and non-structural prevention measures.

Last Friday the National Operational Committee of Civil Protection met to take stock of the state of the volcano and the involvement and activation of the different levels and articulations of the National Service, as part of planning for volcanic risk.In this regard, activities to update the sector plans will continue in the coming days, while the Major Risks Commission will continue to constantly follow the evolution of the situation through periodic meetings and new hearings.

In this context, a particularly important issue is that relating to the perception of risk, as the Commission's assessments require even greater caution and a clear reminder of the uncertainty regarding the possible evolution of the phenomena, so that local institutions and citizens can achieve the necessary awareness to prepare adequately for possible new prevention actions, in particular for the red zone.

MAYOR BACOLI:ORANGE ALERT NEWS GENERATES PANIC

“The state of orange alert means spontaneous evacuation and closure of the Campi Flegrei to external inflows, therefore to tourists and so on.The spread of this news alone will create further panic."This was stated by the mayor of Bacoli (Naples) Josi Gerardo Della Ragione speaking, during a hearing of the Chamber's Environment Commission, on the announcement by the Minister of Civil Protection Nello Musumeci of a possible transition to the orange alert level.
For Della Ragione "it is clear that in a reality with a strong tourist vocation we must also start thinking about supporting the economy of the tourism sector of our territory, I am thinking of hotels and hospitality businesses.The shame that our community will receive will be abnormal – he underlines – and, if people do not flee due to bradyseism, they will flee due to the economic and social crisis that may arise due to the impossibility of bringing tourists to our territory or, as is already happening, by the news that we can move to the orange level ”.

CASE (M5S):MUSUMECI WORRYING WORDS, THERE IS THE RISK OF CHAOS

“Minister Musumeci's statements regarding a possible passage of the Phlegraean area into a state of orange pre-alert are serious and risk generating panic among citizens, already heavily stressed by the seismic swarms of recent months.Convinced that careful and thoughtful communication is fundamental in such a delicate moment, we therefore ask the Minister what evidence led the Major Risks Commission to hypothesize a change of color which, if it were to occur, would have a strong impact on the entire area both for as regards the social and economic fabric".Thus the deputy of the 5 Star Movement Antonio Caso, on the sidelines of the work of the Environment Commission.