Earthquake in Ischia: Rescue of Little Mattias and Hope for Ciro – A Day of Fear and Community Spirit
This morning at 11.23 am, the ground in Ischia shook once more. A 2.6 magnitude quake, with its epicentre near Casamicciola, was felt by absolutely everyone: folks grabbing a coffee, people doing their grocery shopping, those relaxing on the beach. Hearts were in mouths, because around here, earthquakes are no strangers. But this time, alongside the fear, there's been an incredible wave of community support and a few small miracles.
The video doing the rounds: Mattias pulled alive from the rubble
The first to capture everyone's attention was little Mattias. A video that went viral in just a few hours shows the fire brigade pulling him from a pile of debris, covered in dust but very much alive. You see the exact moment a small hand emerges from the wreckage and a firefighter in a red helmet grabs hold of it. Footage of young Mattias's rescue has been shared through every family chat and WhatsApp group on the island. "I was in tears watching it on my screen," a neighbour told me, "because that little boy could have been my nephew." The Civil Protection agency was on the scene immediately, coordinating the initial rescue efforts like a well-oiled machine. Thank goodness, because in moments like these, every second counts.
The dig continues: A community holds its breath for Ciro
But while Mattias's story ended with a warm blanket and a hug, for another name, the outcome hangs in the balance. Ciro is still missing. The search continues non-stop, shovel by shovel, under the sun and through the dust. Excavators work in near silence, broken only by the calls of rescuers shouting his name. "Come on, Ciro, let us know you're there," they yell. And we, huddled in our homes or watching from the streets, are holding our breath. The latest update from the Civil Protection agency speaks of an intensive search, but time is the enemy. Hope is the last thing to die, and here in Ischia, we know that better than most.
Casamicciola's lesson: Between fear and resilience
Every tremor takes us back years, to those terrible days in 2017 and 1883. But this time, despite the panic, the emergency response has worked. Here are a few things that have struck a chord with everyone:
- The swift response of Civil Protection: Within minutes, they'd set up command posts and started assessing buildings.
- Neighbour helping neighbour: Doors flung open to offer a coffee or a place to sit for those whose homes were damaged.
- The anxiety for Ciro: The most searched-for name on Google today, carrying the hope he'll be found alive, just like Mattias.
And as evening falls on Casamicciola, the streets are filled with people reluctant to go back inside. Better to stay out here, chatting, looking up at the stars, and praying the ground doesn't shake again. The updates from the Civil Protection agency mention buildings being checked and no major structural damage, but for Ciro, the search goes on. And we're all here, phones in hand, ready to receive the news we're all waiting for: "They've found Ciro."
This is our Ischia, fragile yet strong all at once. A land that trembles, but never gives up.