Piantedosi rules out depopulation in Pozzuoli after the earthquake: focus on safety and cliffs

Naples – Following the earthquake that struck the Campi Flegrei area on July 31, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi clarified the security measures to be adopted to protect the local population. Speaking on the sidelines of a summit at the Prefecture in Naples with the mayors of the Phlegraean Fields area, Piantedosi ruled out the possibility of adopting extreme measures such as depopulation or the relocation of the residents of Pozzuoli.

"I don't think we can imagine depopulating Pozzuoli or relocating people as a maximum security measure," the minister explained.

The meeting also discussed revising regulations regarding building compliance, with the aim of prioritizing safety concerns rather than rigidly adhering to historical prejudices. This approach could allow those whose homes are not fully compliant to access the funding provided by the recent €100 million decree, enacted to address the effects of the earthquake.

A central theme of the summit was also the monitoring and safety of the rocky ridges, which pose a significant risk to the area. "Starting with the decree, we will seek to create the conditions to definitively address the problem of the ridges," Piantedosi stated. The issue is also complex from a legal standpoint, as many ridges are privately owned. For this reason, the minister emphasized the involvement of the President of the Region, Roberto Fico, and the Special Commissioner for the Phlegraean Fields in addressing this problem.

The meeting represented an important step toward a coordinated strategy between local and national institutions to ensure the safety of citizens in the Phlegraean Fields area, without resorting to drastic measures and maintaining an open dialogue with the population.