Several people were injured after part of a mixed-use building collapsed in Pistunina, about 7 km south of Messina, Sicily. Officials suspect a gas canister explosion but say structural failure has not been ruled out. A municipal crisis centre has been activated and regional authorities pledged support as sniffer dogs, drones and rescue teams search for anyone potentially trapped. The damaged section has been secured while investigations and searches continue.
Partial Building Collapse Near Messina Injures Several; Search Under Way for Possible Missing
A screen grab from a video provided by Agenzia Fotogramma, shows firefighters searching for missing persons following a building collapse in Pistunina, 7 km south of the Sicilian city of Messina. (is associated with: «Building partially collapses in Sicily, search for missing under way») Agenzia Fotogramma/IPA via ZUMA Press/dpa
Several people were injured after part of a mixed-use building collapsed on Thursday in Pistunina, a neighborhood about 7 km south of the Sicilian port city of Messina. Fire service rescue teams deployed sniffer dogs and drones to search for anyone who might be trapped, while the damaged section was secured to allow safe operations.
Messina Mayor Federico Basile said officials suspect an explosion of a gas canister may have triggered the collapse, but he cautioned that a structural failure has not been ruled out. In a Facebook post, Basile expressed solidarity with those affected and their families, noting they were enduring great fear and anxiety.
A screen grab from a video provided by Agenzia Fotogramma, shows firefighters searching for missing persons following a building collapse in Pistunina, 7 km south of the Sicilian city of Messina. (is associated with: «Building partially collapses in Sicily, search for missing under way») Agenzia Fotogramma/IPA via ZUMA Press/dpa
The City Administration activated its municipal crisis centre to coordinate relief efforts and provide support to displaced residents. Renato Schifani, President of Sicily, pledged regional backing for all emergency measures being taken and offered support to local authorities.
Emergency teams continue to search the site; authorities have cordoned off the damaged area while rescue and assessment work proceeds. Investigators are examining the scene to determine the precise cause of the collapse, and officials have warned residents to avoid the area while operations continue.
Image: Screen grab from video provided by Agenzia Fotogramma shows firefighters searching debris in Pistunina following the collapse.
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