Bassa Reggiana conducts large-scale earthquake emergency simulation

Authorities in the Bassa Reggiana region of Italy conducted a large-scale earthquake emergency simulation on October 2, 2026. The exercise involved over 12,000 people across eight municipalities, including Reggiolo and Guastalla, to test response protocols for a simulated magnitude 5.9 seismic event.

The drill included participation from the Civil Protection, Red Cross, Firefighters, law enforcement, and local healthcare services. In Guastalla, the simulation focused on a large-scale medical rescue operation at a community hospital, involving structural collapse scenarios and the evacuation of simulated casualties. In Reggiolo, the exercise included the orderly evacuation of students from local middle schools.

Roberto Angeli, president of the Unione Bassa Reggiana, noted that the exercise reflects a shift in regional preparedness compared to the 2012 earthquake, emphasizing more detailed emergency plans. The simulation aimed to identify critical gaps in coordination and improve rescue systems for future real-world emergencies.