The Naples Underground -- Today's Disaster

At about 4am this morning, three chasms opened in the historic Spaccanapoli district of downtown Naples.  The largest chasm was about twenty meters deep in the middle of a street considered a major nerve center for traffic.  Six buildings had to be evacuated with 297 people leaving their homes.  Tensions arose among the evacuees who fear remaining homeless without help from any government institutions.  Another chasm also opened beneath a church, putting it at risk of collapse and making its entrance practically disappear.  The newspaper, Il Mattino, suggests that the chasms were provoked by the heavy rains of the last few days.  The mayor, Rosa Iervolino, underlines that a complete picture of the damage and causes will be available after officials complete their investigation.  

To see the article in Italian, click this link to the Neapolitan newspaper Il Mattino.  Or you can view the photographs of the damage.