Italy school seismic safety data shows regional disparities

New data from the Ministry of Education and Merit regarding the 2023-2024 school year reveals significant regional disparities in earthquake safety compliance across Italian schools.

Valle d'Aosta leads the nation in structural safety, with 87.2% of its school buildings having undergone static testing, far exceeding the national average of 53.3%. In contrast, the Lazio region reports the lowest compliance at 28%.

In Sicily, the province of Syracuse is the only one in the region to exceed the national average for seismic regulations in zone 2 schools, with 54% having completed structural testing and 81% possessing evacuation plans. Other Sicilian provinces show lower compliance; Agrigento, located in the highest risk zone, reports very low rates of certification and evacuation planning, while Caltanissetta and Palermo also show significant gaps in seismic projects and structural testing.