The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Italy ahead of May half term. Holidaymakers have been warned over the risk posed by volcanoes following an earthquake in Naples on Monday.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “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.”
It added that in the event of a volcanic eruption UK travellers should follow the instructions of local authorities. The FCDO advises travellers to check the Italian government’s guidance on what if a volcano erupts.
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Italy’s Civil Protection Department has instructions on what to do for different volcanic risk factors, including lava falls, volcanic bombs and mudslides. The advice can be found here.
It comes after Naples was hit by its strongest earthquake in a decade on Monday, with tremors tearing through a volcanic crater. A 4.4 magnitude quake was registered just after 8pm local time (6pm GMT) and struck a depth of 1.6miles, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) with dozens of aftershocks recorded, The Mirror reports.
The tremors hit the Capi Glegrei – or Phlegraean Fields caldera – a mountain between Naples and Pozzuoli in the shadow of the better-known Mount Vesuvius. Around 150 earthquakes were registered there between 7.51pm on Monday and 12.13am on Tuesday.
The UK Foreign Office also warns that “minor tremors and earthquakes are a regular occurrence” in Italy. It advises travellers to familiarise themselves with the guidance on the Italian Civil Protection Department website. It’s always important to check the FCDO website for the latest travel advice before you go away.