28.01.2026 20:50
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the Niscemi district on Sicily Island, which has experienced a serious landslide disaster, and promised that the government would make every effort to provide rapid assistance to the district. Meanwhile, Meloni also shared images of her aerial inspections in Niscemi on her social media accounts.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the Niscemi district on Sicily Island, which has experienced a serious landslide disaster, and promised that the government would make every effort to provide rapid assistance to the district.
"SITUATION ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN MADE"
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conducted helicopter inspections in the southern regions of the country affected by Hurricane Harry last week, as well as in the Niscemi district of Caltanissetta province, which experienced a landslide disaster due to the heavy rains brought by the hurricane. Meloni later visited the Niscemi Municipality.
In a statement regarding Meloni's visit from the Prime Ministry, it was stated, "During the meeting, a situation assessment regarding the emergency was made, and it was confirmed that the government and relevant institutions are making every effort to assist those who have been evacuated."
"GUARANTEED TO DO EVERYTHING"
The statement pledged that the government would work on repairing roads, restarting educational activities in the district, and rebuilding gas and electricity networks, stating, "The complicating factor is that as long as the landslide remains active, it is not possible to precisely identify the areas that need intervention, and therefore the methods of intervention cannot be determined."
The statement noted that Prime Minister Meloni guaranteed Mayor Massimiliano Conti that she would do everything to prevent a recurrence of the same situation in the district, which faced a similar disaster in 1997 and subsequently experienced delays in compensation.
INSPECTED THE DISASTER AREA FROM THE AIR
It was stated in the announcement that after Niscemi, Meloni also inspected the eastern coasts of Sicily affected by Hurricane Harry from the air, and later conducted a situation assessment with local authorities in the city of Catania.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS WORKING TO INITIATE NECESSARY INTERVENTIONS TO RETURN TO NORMAL"
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meloni shared images of her aerial inspections in Niscemi through a message on her social media accounts. In her message, Meloni stated: "I wanted to closely monitor the situation, meet with local authorities, and reiterate the state's support for those facing difficult times. The government is working to support the affected areas, secure emergency aid, and initiate necessary interventions to overcome the emergency and return to normal. We will continue to monitor the situation with utmost attention."
ALARM STATUS CONTINUES IN NISCEMI
On the other hand, it was reported in the press that a landslide, which occurred along a 4-kilometer stretch west of the town and swallowed some houses, is ongoing, and therefore the "alarm" status in the district continues. Reports indicated that more than 1,500 people have been evacuated from their homes since January 25 due to the landslide, and educational activities have also been suspended in the district.
Additionally, it was noted that citizens who had to leave their homes in the high-risk red zone were allowed to retrieve important belongings from their residences under the escort of fire and civil defense teams. It was recorded that cracks and holes have formed in agricultural lands around the district due to the landslide.
"THE LANDSLIDE IS FULLY ACTIVE AND THE SITUATION IS CRITICAL"
Meanwhile, it was stated that the Gela Public Prosecutor's Office has also launched an investigation regarding the landslide in Niscemi under the charges of "disaster due to negligence" and "causing damage due to landslide." Civil Defense Director Fabio Ciciliano stated in a press conference in Niscemi yesterday, "The landslide is fully active and the situation is critical. There are now houses that cannot be saved, and a plan will need to be developed for the permanent relocation of those living there."