Two tornadoes hit Marsala and Petrosino in Sicily, with schoolchildren among those affected

Two powerful waterspouts, effectively tornadoes, came in from the sea and struck land on the Italian island of Sicily on 9 October, causing major damage in the towns of Marsala and Petrosino. Children at a school were put at risk, several injuries have been reported, and rescue services are working on heightened alert.

What happened

According to the source, both tornadoes reached the coast in the southern part of Marsala. Footage and photos taken by eyewitnesses show two dark, enormous columns of air moving quickly toward populated areas. A strong storm system now moving across Sicily has made the situation especially dangerous.

The wind damage is extensive: trees were snapped, telephone poles toppled and agricultural warehouses wrecked. On the road toward Petrosino, the wind flipped several cars onto their roofs or threw them into ditches.

The school and the injured

The most dramatic scenes were at the Alcide De Gasperi school. When the storm hit the building, pupils and staff were inside; windows were blown out and heavy furniture was overturned. Several people are reported injured, and rescuers are helping them at the scene.

Reactions

Eyewitnesses have shared their experiences on social media. One local resident wrote that he had never been so afraid of dying, and that the storm grew four times larger within two minutes. Regional deputy Kristina Ciminisi said the images were shocking: destroyed homes, torn-off roofs, overturned cars and a school struck while children were inside.

Emergency services have received hundreds of calls from residents. They are trying to establish the extent of the damage and provide first aid.