Homes in the Sicilian town of Niscemi have been left precariously perched on the edge of a cliff after a landslide triggered by a violent storm, prompting mass evacuations and fears of further collapse, Italian civil protection officials said on Tuesday.
Niscemi, a town of about 25,000 people in south-central Sicily, sits on a plateau that authorities say is gradually giving way toward the plain below. Following the landslide, more than 1,500 residents were forced to leave their homes as sections of the slope collapsed, leaving buildings overhanging the void and vehicles partially suspended above the chasm.
“Let’s be clear: there are homes on the edge of the landslide that are uninhabitable,” civil protection chief Fabio Ciciliano told reporters during a visit to the town. He said residents from the affected areas would be permanently relocated.
@bbcnews A massive cliff collapsed in Sicily following heavy rain and strong winds brought by Storm Harry last week. #StormHarry #Weather #Italy #Sicily #BBCNews ♬ original sound – BBC News
“The landslide is still active,” he added, noting that a more precise assessment would be possible once water drains away and ground movement slows.
The Italian government declared a state of emergency on Monday for Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria after the storm battered southern regions with heavy rain, powerful winds and rough seas. The administration has earmarked 100 million euros ($119 million) to cover immediate needs, though local authorities estimate total damage could exceed 1 billion euros after coastal defences were overwhelmed and homes and businesses destroyed.
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Eyewitness footage from Mazzeo in Italy’s Sicily shows powerful wave surges caused by Cyclone Harry. Authorities issued a red alert, warning of torrential rain, hurricane-force winds and dangerous storm surges.Emergency services are on high alert and are urging residents to avoid coastal areas.
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Extreme weather events have become increasingly frequent in Italy in recent years, with floods and storms causing widespread destruction and heightening the risk of landslides even in areas previously considered less vulnerable.
In Niscemi, the sudden evacuations have sparked anxiety and anger among residents, some of whom say authorities ignored earlier warning signs.
“We had the first landslide 30 years ago, and no one ever did anything,” said Francesco Zarba, who was ordered to leave his home despite saying there were no visible signs of collapse beneath it.
@pioandreaperi Il ciclone mediterraneo Harry ci ha colpito! Dov’é lo stato? E i media??? Aiutatemi a divulgare queste immagini che nemmeno i tg vi mostrano, questa é la riviera Ionica #ciclonemediterraneo #harry #instagram #fyp #sicilia ♬ suono originale – Pio Andrea Peri
As emergency crews continue to monitor the unstable ground, officials warn that the situation remains dangerous, underscoring the growing impact of extreme weather on communities across Italy.
