A powerful tornado tore through the city of Marsala, a popular vacation destination on the western coast of Sicily, on Friday. The storm, which swept through the area roughly 55 miles southwest of Palermo, overturned vehicles and damaged buildings, leaving at least two people seriously injured.
Dramatic footage showed the tornado swirling through the city, sending debris flying as powerful winds battered the area. Video reviewed by Reuters also showed blown-out windows and a partially collapsed ceiling at a school in Marsala, while cars and trucks lay overturned. Downed utility poles littered the streets.
A school in Marsala was damaged by the storm, along with at least one house. Nearby towns, including Petrosino and Mazara del Vallo, also reported damage. Sicily's Civil Protection agency warned in September that a recent heat wave could contribute to extreme weather, and the agency's head, Salvatore Cocina, described the scene as "almost like an American tornado."
Cocina noted that the storm was "nothing this violent has been seen in living memory," and highlighted the issue of extreme weather events, which he attributed to the climate crisis. The regional councilor for education, Mimmo Turano, said officials were working to secure funding for repairs after the tornado severely damaged the school in Marsala.
Turano stated that the situation was "serious" and that many companies had been affected by the tragedy. He added that officials would implement interventions to support the affected area. The tornado is the latest in a string of dangerous incidents to strike the Italian island in recent months.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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