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At least 12 earthquakes struck off the coast of Sicily in southern Italy on Friday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami alert and evacuate schools and public buildings as a precaution.
The strongest earthquake had a magnitude of 5.5 and struck the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, northwest of the Aeolian Islands, at around 12:19pm local time, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
Tremors were felt in several locations across Sicily, including Palermo, Patti and other coastal areas. Schools in Palermo and other locations were evacuated, while a courthouse in Trapani was also cleared as a precaution.
Authorities issued an orange-level tsunami alert for potentially affected coastal areas and urged residents to stay away from beaches, ports and other areas close to the sea.
Initial reports indicated no casualties or significant property damage. Emergency services continued monitoring the situation as authorities assessed the potential risks.