Violent Tornado Strikes Sicily, Damaging School and Injuring Two
Tornado tears through Marsala, Sicily, overturning vehicles and causing widespread destruction as officials describe it as the worst storm in living memory.
A powerful tornado struck the coastal city of Marsala in western Sicily on Friday, overturning vehicles, damaging a school, and leaving at least two people seriously injured. Dramatic footage showed the twister swirling through the city, with powerful winds sending debris flying and battering buildings. The storm also caused damage in the nearby areas of Petrosino and Mazara del Vallo.
Video reviewed by Reuters revealed blown-out windows and a partially collapsed ceiling at a Marsala school. Downed utility poles also littered the streets, and vehicles lay overturned.
Salvatore Cocina, head of Sicily's Civil Protection agency, described the scene as "almost like an American tornado," adding, "Nothing this violent has been seen in living memory." He also linked the event to "extreme weather events, a characteristic of recent years due to the climate crisis."
Mimmo Turano, Sicily's regional councilor for education, stated that officials were working to secure funding for repairs after the tornado severely damaged the school. "The situation is serious, the school is no longer there and many companies have been affected by this tragedy," Turano said. "Together with President Schifani, we will implement every intervention useful to support the entire area."
Sicily's Civil Protection agency had warned in September that a recent heat wave could contribute to extreme weather conditions. The tornado follows a series of dangerous incidents on the Italian island in recent months, including volcanic activity disrupting flights and a lightning strike that killed an American tourist on Mount Etna in August.