SICILIAN LANDSLIDE FORCES 1,500 RESIDENTS TO EVACUATE AS HOMES HANG ON CLIFF EDGE. (PHOTO).

Sicilian landslide forces 1,500 residents to evacuate as homes hang on cliff edge

   

 Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni visited the Sicilian town of Niscemi on Wednesday after a massive landslide, triggered by days of heavy rains from Cyclone Harry, left homes teetering on a cliff and forced the evacuation of over 1,500 residents. The landslide stretched about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), with images showing cars and buildings plunged 20 meters down the newly formed cliff, while many other houses remain dangerously perched at the edge. Civil protection teams established a 150-meter “no-go zone” around the most unstable areas near the town, which lies just inland from Gela.

Officials warned that the waterlogged, shifting ground makes returning unsafe, and long-term relocation may be necessary for families affected. Sicily’s regional authorities estimate damages across the island at 2 billion euros, while the federal government declared a state of emergency for three southern regions, initially allocating 100 million euros ($120 million) for immediate relief. Meloni, who toured the area by helicopter, promised further financial support, assistance in securing alternative housing, and restoration of utilities, roads, and schools. Experts noted that Niscemi’s hill, built on sand and clay layers prone to heavy rain, has a history of landslides, including a major one in 1997. The disaster has also reignited political debate over construction on high-risk land and calls to redirect funds from other projects to aid affected communities.