Sicilian Town On The Edge Of Collapse After Storm Damages

The mayor of a hilltop town in Sicily has said that “the situation is dire” after a powerful storm triggered a major landslide, leaving homes dangerously close to a cliff edge.

The collapse has forced widespread evacuations and raised fears for the safety of the town’s historic centre.

Around 1,500 residents have so far been evacuated from Niscemi, in the south of the island.

The landslide began showing signs of movement on Sunday before expanding into a front stretching roughly four kilometres. Authorities say the chasm continues to widen, increasing the risk that more buildings could be lost.

Mayor Massimiliano Conti described the event as a dramatic landslide in a video message shared on social media, urging residents outside the cordoned areas to remain indoors.

He stressed that the situation should not be underestimated, adding that while there had been no injuries, several homes had been damaged. Images circulating online show buildings teetering on the edge of collapse.

Salvatore Cocina, director general of Sicily’s civil protection authority, warned that all houses within a 50 to 70 metre radius were likely to collapse.

Schools remained closed on Tuesday, and a key road linking Niscemi to the coastal city of Gela has been shut.

Many evacuees are staying with relatives, while hundreds have taken shelter in a local sports arena.

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Photo Source: It-Temp Madwarna