Region of Naples Rocks by 150 Quakes

The region of Naples in southern Italy is said to have been rocked by more than 150 quakes

Report says makeshift camps were set up late on Monday for residents made to leave their homes

Homes were evacuated and many schools closed after a flurry of earthquakes hit the area around Naples.

More than 150 earthquakes were recorded on Monday evening and overnight.

The strongest, of magnitude of 4.4, happened near the town of Pozzuoli while Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) said it was the strongest quake in the region for 40 years.

Mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi, who, acknowledged that residents may be scared assured that officials were “paying attention”.

Hundreds of tents were erected in Pozzuoli and some residents stayed on the streets for much of the night, though others opted to stay elsewhere with relatives.

Local media reported that several families were considering leaving and though no significant damage to structures has been reported, some schools in Naples remained shut and a women’s prison in Pozzuoli was evacuated as a precaution.