Sicily earthquakes live: Tsunami warning for Italy after 12 quakes near Palermo

Sicily earthquakes live: Tsunami warning for Italy after 12 quakes near Palermo A series of 12 major earthquakes close to Sicily has led to an orange tsunami warning being issued - schools in Palermo have been evacuated A tsunami warning has been issued in Italy following 12 earthquakes off the coast of Sicily. The tremors occurred close to Palermo, with the strongest registering a magnitude of 5.0 and striking at around 12:19pm local time. The epicentre was in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea north-west of the Aeolian Islands. Schools have been evacuated in Palermo, the capital of Sicily, as well as in Messina following an orange tsunami alert. Prior to the 5.0 magnitude quake, a 4.3 magnitude tremor occurred at 11:51am with a depth of 24km. As many as 10 other earthquakes in the area today had a magnitude of at least 3. Key Events No reports of injuries A rock face has reportedly collapsed on Filicudi, one of the Aeolian Islands, although there are yet to be any reports of injuries from the earthquakes. What does orange tsunami warning mean? Italy's tsunami warning system classifies an orange warning as "advisory" - meaning coastal communities could be impacted by a tsunami wave of less than 0.5 metres and/or a maximum run-up on land of less than one metre. Residents pour into streets fearing buildings will collapse The courthouse in Trapani has also been evacuated, while residents across the nearby Aeolian Islands took to the streets when they felt the shaking. Schools evacuated after earthquakes Schools have been evacuated in Palermo, the capital of Sicily, as well as in Messina following an orange tsunami alert. Orange tsunami warning issued in Italy Head of Sicily's regional Civil Protection department, Salvo Cocina, said: "The issuance of a SiAM tsunami alert at Advisory level (orange) has been communicated, and its instructions must be strictly observed. "It is considered necessary that all municipalities concerned and provincial and regional operational structures place themselves on alert and ensure they are ready to respond promptly, given the aftershocks already recorded and the possibility of further tremors."