The resolution that sets forth the new red zone 1 and the new red zone 2 of the Emergency Plan for Vesuvius has been published this morning in the Official Journal of Regione Campania (B.U.R.C). Regione accepted the new “boundaries” of red zone 1 and red zone 2 of the Emergency Plan of the Vesuvio Area, as received upon decisions of the involved Municipalities (Naples, Palma Campania, Nola, San Gennaro Vesuviano, Poggiomarino) that approved relevant Municipal Council resolutions. The National Department of Civil Protection will handle the final deed, namely the approval of the new perimeter delimitation.

By approving the new 1 and 2 red zones, we will have 700 thousand people, compared with the previous 550 thousand, to evacuate with a more precautionary scenario for the population.

Concerning Naples, based on official data supplied by the Municipality, we have three new districts included in the plan, namely San Giovanni a Teduccio, Barra and Ponticelli, in red zone 1 for 15% of the territory and for a total amount of 38401 inhabitants.

Concerning logistics in evacuation, Regione through the Campania Transport Agency (ACAM) is developing its Plan in case of evacuation: it has to be guaranteed within 72 hours. Moreover, our aim is to “weld” the big ring around Vesuvius with the Angri junction that connects SS 268 road of Vesuvio with the motorway: this project is financed by European Funds for 54 million Euros.

Regional Minister responsible for Civil Protection Edoardo Cosenza stated: “Tender has already been completed and the works will start by September. The Department is showing its interest on the occasion of the Conference of Regions, in agreements for town twinning among Municipalities to evacuate and other Italian regions. Currently, we have no signs of any imminent eruption or for new findings of pyroclastic flow tracks. Philosophy has changed, since before we used to consider only scenarios from a sub-plinian eruption, and hence administrative limits directly; now, upon request also by Regione Campania, a “scientific” approach is being envisaged that does not necessarily match with administrative boundaries of Municipalities”.