A powerful tornado swept through the Sicilian city of Marsala on Friday, overturning vehicles and severely damaging a school. The storm left at least two people with serious injuries. Marsala is located on the western coast of Sicily, roughly 55 miles southwest of Palermo.
Reuters reported that the tornado caused extensive destruction as it moved through the area. Video footage reviewed by the news agency showed cars and trucks lying overturned in the streets. The winds also knocked down utility poles, which littered the roadways. At a local school in Marsala, windows were blown out and a ceiling partially collapsed.
Salvatore Cocina, head of Sicily's Civil Protection agency, described the scene to Reuters as "almost like an American tornado." He stated that "nothing this violent has been seen in living memory." Cocina added that the event highlights the issue of extreme weather events, which he characterized as a feature of recent years due to the climate crisis.
Damage was not limited to Marsala. Reports indicated that nearby Petrosino and Mazara del Vallo also suffered damage from the storm. At least one house in Marsala was reported to be damaged alongside the school.
Mimmo Turano, Sicily's regional councilor for education, said in a translated statement obtained by Fox News Digital that officials are working to secure funding for repairs. Turano noted that the situation is serious because the school is no longer there and many companies have been affected. He stated that he and President Schifani will implement interventions to support the entire area.
The tornado follows a pattern of dangerous incidents on the Italian island in recent months. In August, a 29-year-old American tourist from Kansas was killed by a lightning strike while hiking Mount Etna. Earlier this summer, an American tourist was stranded in Sicily when volcanic activity from Mount Etna disrupted flights, forcing her to find an alternative route home to New York.
Sicily's Civil Protection agency had warned in September that a recent heat wave could contribute to extreme weather conditions. The agency's warning came before Friday's violent storm struck the western coast.