Sicily Landslide: Houses Teetering on Cliff – Evacuations Over 1,000
- OVER 1,000 people have been forced to evacuate an idyllic Sicilian town after a terrifying 4km-long landslide.
- A shocking aerial view shows the southern hill town Niscemi perched precariously on a cliff edge with several buildings dangerously close to falling off.
- Deep chasms in the surrounding fields and large chunks of earth shorn off the hill give an idea of the landslide’s scale.
OVER 1,000 people have been forced to evacuate an idyllic Sicilian town after a terrifying 4km-long landslide.
A shocking aerial view shows the southern hill town Niscemi perched precariously on a cliff edge with several buildings dangerously close to falling off.
Deep chasms in the surrounding fields and large chunks of earth shorn off the hill give an idea of the landslide’s scale.
No deaths or injuries have been reported since the incident occurred on sunday.
Regional president Renato Schifani estimates a damage bill totalling a whopping 740million euros (£640m).
Heavy rainfall has caused land to fall away over the past few days, according to town mayor Massimiliano Conti.
Read more about landslides
Conti called the situation “dire”,adding: “The situation continues to worsen as further collapses have been recorded.”
Schools were forced to close their doors on Monday, and Conti said work is underway to restore order in the town.
Local authorities are said to be working with police, fire and civil protection units to set out an action plan.
Officials said that all residents within a four-kilometre radius of the landslide had been evacuated.
Displaced locals have reportedly been ushered to a makeshift shelter set up in the pio La Torre sports hall in Niscemi.
Hundreds of camp beds have been ferried from Palermo to assist with the efforts.
and 70 volunteers have been helping authorities deal with the fallout at the site of the landslide, per L’Unione Sarda.
Sicilian coastlines were battered by Storm Harry last week, with fierce showers battering seaside roads and residences.
Ground conditions were reportedly worsened by intense rainfall in the region, which precipitated the landslide.
Only days ago, Storm Harry wreaked more devastation on Sicily when Storm Harry and Flooding in Sicily, Italy (November 2023)
In November 2023, Storm Harry (also known as Ciaran) caused significant flooding and a state of emergency in parts of Sicily, Italy. The storm brought unusually high waves and intense rainfall, leading to damage in coastal towns. As of January 26, 2026, there have been no major updates regarding long-term recovery efforts beyond initial emergency responses reported in late 2023. Letojanni, a town north of Catania, experienced severe flooding resembling a tidal wave on November 7, 2023. Detail: The flooding was caused by a storm surge generated by Storm harry, which overwhelmed the coastal defenses.Videos showed powerful currents sweeping away debris, including rubbish bags, chairs, and plant pots. ANSA reported widespread alerts for coastal areas. Example: local residents documented the rapid inundation of streets with floodwater, demonstrating the speed and force of the surge.The Guardian reported on the dramatic scenes unfolding in Letojanni. Messina, another coastal city in Sicily, was also affected by Storm Harry, experiencing large waves flooding the city. detail: The waves, driven by the storm, directly impacted the coastal areas of Messina, causing flooding and disruption. Il Meteo provided real-time updates on the storm’s progression and its impact on Messina. Example: Videos circulating online showed waves crashing over seawalls and inundating streets in Messina, highlighting the vulnerability of the city’s coastline to extreme weather events. Repubblica reported on the severe weather conditions and the resulting flooding in Messina. The regional government of Sicily declared a state of emergency in response to the widespread damage caused by Storm Harry. Detail: The declaration allowed for the mobilization of resources and the implementation of emergency measures to assist affected communities. The state of emergency facilitated access to funding for recovery and reconstruction efforts.Sicilia Informazioni detailed the declaration of the state of emergency by the regional governor. Example: On November 7, 2023, Governor Renato Schifani announced the state of emergency, authorizing immediate assistance to affected areas and initiating damage assessments. Impact on Letojanni
Impact on Messina
State of Emergency Declaration