Cars flipped, school devastated as violent twister rips through popular city

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A powerful tornado tore througha popular vacation destinationFriday, overturning vehicles and damaging buildings — and leaving at least two people seriously injured.

The tornado swept through Marsala, a city on the western coast of Sicily, roughly 55 milessouthwest of Palermo.

Dramatic footage showed the tornado swirling through the city, sending debris flying as powerful winds battered the area.

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The tornado overturned vehicles and seriously injured at least two people on Friday, Reuters reported.

A school was also said to be damaged by the storm, along with at least one house.Damage was reportedin nearby Petrosino and Mazara del Vallo, as well as Marsala.

Split image of tornado near Sicilian town

Dramatic footage captured a tornado swirling through Marsala, Sicily, as powerful winds sent debris flying and caused widespread damage Friday.(L’isolano In Viaggio via Storyful)

Video reviewed by Reuters also showed blown-out windows and a partially collapsed ceiling at a school in Marsala, while cars and trucks lay overturned.

In addition, downed utility poles littered the streets.

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Salvatore Cocina, the head of Sicily’s Civil Protection agency, told Reuters the scene was “almost like an American tornado.”

“Nothing this violent has been seen in living memory,” he said.

Powerful winds swept through western Sicily on Friday, overturning cars and trucks while causing damage across several communities near Marsala.(Reuters)

“It once again highlights the issue ofextreme weatherevents, a characteristic of recent years due to the climate crisis,” he added.

Sicily’s Civil Protection agency warned in September that a recent heat wave could contribute to extreme weather, Reuters reported.

View of gigantic tornado in Sicilian town

Sicily’s Civil Protection chief described the aftermath of Friday’s tornado as “almost like an American tornado.”(L’isolano In Viaggio via Storyful)

�s regional councilor for education, Mimmo Turano, said officials were working to secure funding for repairs after the tornado severely damaged the school in Marsala.

“The situation is serious, the school is no longer there and many companies have been affected by this tragedy,” Turano said.

“Together with President Schifani, we will implement every intervention useful to support the entire area,” he added.

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The tornado is the latest in a string of dangerous incidents to strike the Italian island in recent months.

Earlier this summer, an American tourist wasstranded in Sicilyafter volcanic activity from Mount Etna disrupted flights, forcing her to scramble for an alternative route home to New York.