Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – Earthquake today, Tuesday 18 March in Potenza. Recorded at 10.01, the powerful shock of magnitude 4.2, occurred – according to data from the INGV – six kilometers from the Municipality of Vaglio Basilicata and at a depth of 14 kilometers. The shock was also felt in Puglia.
Following the seismic event, the Civil Protection Department contacted the local structures of the National Civil Protection Service.
From the first checks carried out, no damage to people or things resulted from the event.
After the shock, school activities were suspended in the capital where it was felt very strongly. Students left schools as a precaution, then the suspension of teaching activities was ordered in all institutes of all levels for today, with the exception of the university, by order of the mayor Vincenzo Telesca.
Checks are underway in schools and hospitals in Potenza and in the municipalities of the province, bordering the epicentral area of the shock. At the moment there are no problems. "No critical issues found", said the president of the province of Potenza, Christian Giordano. Furthermore, the management of the regional hospital company San Carlo di Potenza has given the technical-patrimonial management operational unit the mandate to carry out "a scrupulous verification procedure of the five hospital structures belonging to the company". Hospital and administrative activity continues regularly, without any interruption, and the full operation of health and administrative services for patients, operators and citizens is guaranteed.
In the meantime, the fire brigade rescue system has been reinforced with ten units for checks on public buildings in Potenza and in the municipalities of the province. Five fire brigade teams are operational for checks on buildings of public interest. An aerial reconnaissance was carried out by the Drago VF67 helicopter of the Pontecagnano flight department (Salerno) in the area between Potenza and Vaglio Basilicata, the municipality where the epicentre was detected by the INGV. The situation is also being monitored by the regional civil protection operations room. No problems have been recorded, according to what has been ascertained so far.
Rail traffic has been temporarily and precautionarily blocked between Tito and Potenza. Intercity and regional trains may experience delays and be cancelled or have their routes restricted. The municipal operations centre has been activated in Potenza and can be contacted at 0971415832 and 3669394022.