Magnitude 6.2 earthquake off Calabria coast shakes southern Italy, no damage reported

The seismic event

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake was recorded at 00:12 on 2 June in the sea off the Calabrian coast near Amantea, in the province of Cosenza. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) located the epicentre at a depth of 250 kilometres, approximately 41 kilometres from Cosenza, 48 kilometres from Lamezia Terme, and 72 kilometres from Catanzaro. The epicentre was also placed about 22 kilometres from Belmonte Calabro on the Tyrrhenian coast.

How it was felt

Despite the considerable depth, the tremor was distinctly felt across much of Calabria, from Cosenza to Reggio Calabria, and in several other southern regions: Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, and Sicily. In Campania, the shaking reached Naples and towns in the Vesuvian area such as Portici, extending to the border with the Salerno area. In some localities, frightened residents left their homes and took to the streets.

Emergency response

Immediately after the event, the regional Civil Protection operations room, led by director Domenico Costarella, began contacting mayors in the municipalities closest to the epicentre, including Cetraro, Lamezia Terme, and Amantea. The regional crisis unit convened overnight with the national Civil Protection department. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Puglia and Sicily regions, where the quake was clearly felt. Calabria's president Roberto Occhiuto thanked the head of the national department, Fabio Ciciliano, for his prompt attention and constant support.

Fortunately, at present, no damage to people or property has been recorded.

Verification results

By morning, territorial commands of the fire brigade had completed their inspections. Interventions were limited to two door openings in the province of Cosenza, requested due to the state of alarm generated by the tremor, and two technical checks on homes in the municipalities of Catanzaro and Cittanova. The fire brigade confirmed that no static problems or structural damage to buildings were found. The situation, they stated, remains under control and is constantly monitored by the operational structures of the National Fire Brigade.

Some photos of collapsed columns or other significant damage are circulating. I went to the locations and verified that they are false.

The mayor of Corigliano Rossano, Flavio Stasi, reported being in constant contact with the local fire brigade detachment. He confirmed there were no significant reports or serious issues, only some triggered alarms and widespread fear. Stasi also denounced the circulation of fake images on social media showing supposed damage.

Official reassurance

Cosenza mayor Franz Caruso communicated that the situation in the city was calm. The regional Civil Protection operations room continued to receive numerous calls from citizens seeking information, and authorities reiterated the availability of the toll-free number 800222211. Monitoring and verification activities were set to continue in the following hours, but based on the information available, officials stated there was no reason for particular concern.

The tremor was very strong and we felt it distinctly in Cosenza and throughout Calabria, but the situation, fortunately, is under control.