World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes off Sicily, tsunami alert raised
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck off northern Sicily on Friday, with its epicentre at sea near the Aeolian Islands.
The shaking was felt from Palermo to Catania and across the island group, after several smaller tremors.
Authorities raised the tsunami risk level to orange, though the available accounts do not say that a tsunami occurred.
Palermo’s mayor ordered some public buildings evacuated, and local reports also said some schools were cleared.
No damage or injuries had been reported initially, and the fire service said it received requests for information but no emergency calls.
Officials urged people to stay off the sea and follow instructions; further updates were expected.
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck off northern Sicily near the Aeolian Islands on Friday.
Authorities raised the alert level to orange for a possible tsunami.
The tremors were felt from Palermo to Catania and on the Aeolian Islands.
Palermo ordered some public buildings evacuated as a precaution.
Authorities initially reported no damage or injuries.
- Who
- Residents of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands felt the tremors; authorities issued the alert.
- What
- A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck offshore, and authorities raised the tsunami alert to orange.
- When
- Friday, October 23, 2026, in the early afternoon. PalermoToday reported the strongest tremor at 12:19 local time.
- Where
- In the sea north of Sicily, near the Aeolian Islands.
- Why
- The alert and evacuations were precautionary responses to the earthquake and possible tsunami.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A magnitude 3.9 tremor was recorded in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea.
A magnitude 3.3 tremor was recorded in roughly the same area.
A magnitude 4.3 tremor was recorded at a depth of 24 kilometres.
The strongest tremor, initially estimated at magnitude 5.0, was recorded.
Authorities raised the tsunami alert level to orange, and Palermo ordered some public buildings evacuated as a precaution.
- Main earthquake
- Magnitude 5.0, according to the reports citing INGV
- Epicentre
- Sea north of Sicily, near the Aeolian Islands
- Tremor time
- 12:19 local time
- Earlier tremor
- Magnitude 4.3 at 11:51 local time
- Alert level
- Orange for a possible tsunami
- Palermo response
- Some public buildings were evacuated as a precaution
3 sources
What people are saying
The evacuations are solely precautionary.