Tornado damages Marsala and nearby Sicilian towns

A tornado struck Marsala and nearby towns in western Sicily on Friday, October 9, overturning vehicles, damaging homes and public buildings, and injuring people, officials and local reports said. A school in Marsala was among the buildings damaged, and emergency crews responded across the affected area. Sicily’s Civil Protection agency reported damage in Marsala, Petrosino and Mazara del Vallo. Winds brought down trees and utility poles and left cars and trucks overturned. A house was destroyed, according to the regional report, while other homes and public facilities were damaged. Debris and fallen infrastructure also disrupted roads and railway crossings. The Alcide De Gasperi school in Marsala sustained extensive damage, including shattered windows and a partially collapsed ceiling. Regional reports said children were injured there, while pupils inside the building were evacuated safely. One account said 273 pupils were present; another put the number at about 300. The reports described the children’s injuries as minor. Injury reports varied as emergency operations continued.