No reports of deaths or injuries in Niscemi landslide.
The Sicilian town of Niscemi is facing a catastrophic geological emergency following a massive landslide that has forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents.
Triggered by the relentless rainfall of Cyclone Harry, the landslide has created a shifting chasm that is actively swallowing parts of the historic centre of the town in southern Sicily.
The landslide, which first began to show signs of instability on Sunday, has expanded into a massive front stretching approximately four kilometres.
Mayor Massimiliano Conti has described the situation as “dire,” as the cliffside upon which the town is perched continues to crumble.
Aerial drone footage has captured dramatic images of the destruction, with multiple buildings torn apart as properties and cars hang perilously over the 25-metre precipice.
Under the direction of the civil protection department, a “red zone” has been established, leading to the immediate evacuation of over 300 families.
While many residents found refuge with relatives, hundreds spent the night at a local sports arena, where the civil protection unit from Palermo delivered emergency supplies.
Two provincial roads leading to the town have been swallowed or blocked, and all schools in the area remain closed as technicians monitor the movement of the landslide, which is reportedly still advancing toward the heart of the town.
Regional president Renato Schifani has estimated that the broader damage caused by Cyclone Harry across Sicily has already reached €740 million, a figure likely to climb as the Niscemi crisis evolves.
Italy’s civil protection minister Nello Musumeci has pledged the full support of the Meloni government, dispatching a specialised team of geologists to assist local authorities in predicting the landslide’s next moves.
Photo Il Fatto Quotidiano
