Naples Sinkhole
- Disaster Relief
- Jan 16, 2021
- 2 min read
On January 8, 2021, a giant sinkhole opened in Naples, Italy. It is estimated to be roughly 22,000 square feet and 66 feet deep. Occurring only 100 meters away from a hospital called the Ospedale Del Mare, it caused the evacuation of a nearby COVID ward that housed 6 patients and led to minor disruptions in the hospital’s functions. Dozens of cars were swallowed up by the hole but luckily, no human casualties occurred. Authorities suspect the sinkhole to be a cause of excess rain in the weeks leading up to it. No major damage was sustained to the hospital and it was allowed to function relatively well.
Despite this being a relatively harmless incident, this is one of only several high profile sinkholes that have occurred in Italy recently. The largest sinkhole occurred in Rome, May 2020 which was again relatively harmless. However, this sinkhole revealed centuries-old roads and systems likely used by ancient Romans. Not all sinkholes had positive consequences like the one that took place in Rome. Many set the country and local municipalities back millions to repair the damages. According to reports, 100 sinkholes were found in 2019 in Rome alone. Although many were small, they can cost many millions in repairs.
Many reasons that these sinkholes are occurring due to large numbers of cavities dispersed throughout the country. The Ancient Romans created large tunnels and cataclysms during their heyday and much of modern-day Italy has been built over those tunnels and cataclysms. Furthermore, much of Italy is situated on a floodplain, especially the southern portion. A floodplain is soft sandy soil that is easily susceptible to create sinkholes and this becomes worse with high amounts of rain, which occurred in this recent sinkhole in Naples.
However, we have to ask how much longer these sinkholes can keep occurring without casualties. Italy has been very lucky so far in that regard but it is still a disaster waiting to happen. Italy is attempting to relieve the situation by improving its roads and infrastructure, but it has been relatively slow so far.
Here’s a few ways to help!
Red Cross
Humanitarian organization that aids victims of natural disasters, wartime, and oppression.
If DAG is a legal entity they should contact the Croatian Red Cross on https://www.hck.hr/adresar/bjelovarsko-bilogorska/51 to donate money, or donate food to the local red cross.
UNICEF
United Nations agency that provides humanitarian relief to children around the globe. Most widespread and recognizable social welfare organization
Can work with Tucker UNICEF chapter possibly for any events related to disaster relief, or contact the main agency.
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