In brief
A sudden tornado struck the Sicilian city of Marsala and the town of Petrosino on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction and two injuries. The violent wind collapsed parts of buildings, shattered windows and overturned vehicles, according to local media. While the thunderstorm that produced the tornado cleared, meteorologists warn that more severe weather is expected to move across the central Mediterranean in the coming days. Local authorities are conducting damage assessments and urging residents to secure their homes.
A violent tornado ripped through the Sicilian city of Marsala and the nearby town of Petrosino on Friday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Local residents reported that the funnel cloud, which erupted from a severe thunderstorm, swirled winds strong enough to flip cars and collapse sections of buildings. Two people were injured, according to local authorities, and the damage included shattered windows, toppled power lines and a damaged apartment block.
Emergency services were dispatched to the affected areas immediately, and after the tornado passed, firefighters and police salvaged stranded vehicles and began clearing debris.
Weather scientists say the event is unusual for the region, where tornadoes are rare. The central Mediterranean is forecast to experience further severe weather over the coming days, prompting warnings to residents to stay alert.
