Red Zone in Niscemi Reduced, Over 600 People Return Home

Local Italian authorities in Sicily have announced the gradual phasing out of the state of emergency in the town of Niscemi, which was hit by a dangerous landslide a month ago. The Prefect of the Caltanissetta province, Girolamo Di Fazio, informed that the extent of the so-called red zone will be reduced in the coming days. This decision directly concerns over 600 residents who have been forced to leave their homes since the disaster. They will be able to return to their properties after a month spent in hotels and other temporary accommodations. The remaining evacuees, whose homes are located in areas still deemed at risk, must continue their forced stay away from their residences. Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, has for centuries struggled with seismic and volcanic activity, but also with ground instability and landslides, which are often exacerbated by intense rainfall and climate change. Italian geological services monitor hundreds of areas at risk of mass ground movements across the country. The events in Niscemi have reminded us of this threat. On the night of February 26-27, exactly one month after the disaster, a solemn torchlight procession took place in the town. Residents, clergy, and local authorities walked through the streets carrying lights and praying for the victims of the landslide, including at least one person who died at the time. The ceremony was both mournful and a show of solidarity with those who lost their homes. „La decisione di ridurre la zona rossa di Niscemi sarà assunta nei prossimi giorni” (The decision to reduce the red zone in Niscemi will be taken in the coming days) — Girolamo Di Fazio – said the prefect, quoted by the ANSA news agency. His statement indicates a cautious, yet real, opening of the path to normalization for part of the community. Despite this good news, the situation is far from fully stable. Reducing the zone does not mean the end of the crisis, only its mitigation in selected parts of the town deemed safe. The remaining evacuees, whose homes are still in the highest-risk zone, must be patient. Local authorities, with the support of the national government and civil protection structures, continue stabilization works and ground condition assessments. The goal is to prevent further tragedies and create conditions for the safe return of all residents, which may, however, take many more weeks or even months.