IM MCMAHON/MAPMAN ®
On January 25, 2026, a hillside next to the town of Niscemi in Sicily, Italy, suddenly collapsed. Dozens of houses were left teetering on the edge of a steep cliff. More than 1,500 people had to be evacuated. This steep cliff. More than 1,500 people had to be evacuated. This devastating landslide—a mass of earth suddenly sliding down a slope—was likely triggered by heavy rain from arecent tropical storm.
Niscemi is built on layers of sand and clay. As a result, the ground becomes extremely unstable when soaked with water. The town is working with the Italian government to monitor the area and help people who were displaced by the natural disaster.