Flooding in Sicily saw cars tumbling through streets of Torre Archirafi, near Catania. Some were swept out to sea as torrential rain continued to batter Sicily.
Over 30 emergency calls were made by residents seeking assistance from the flooding in Sicily. At the time of writing, no individuals were reported missing due to the storm.
In Aci Sant’Antonio, firefighters rescued several drivers trapped in their vehicles by floodwaters. Another individual in Acireale was saved from their flooded home by emergency crews. Additionally, firefighters used an amphibious vehicle in Altarello to rescue four people, including two with disabilities, after floodwaters swamped the ground floor of their home.
Scientists link the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather to the climate crisis, driven by greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, Italy has faced a series of intense weather events. This year alone, Sicily and Sardinia endured unprecedented heatwaves and droughts, while heavy rainfall in regions like Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, and Marche led to floods and emergency declarations. The burning of fossil fuels—primarily oil, gas, and coal—continues to be the primary contributor to global heating, fuelling the climate emergency.
