Cars flipped, school devastated as violent twister rips through popular city

Dramatic footage showed the tornado swirling through the city, sending debris flying as powerful winds battered the area.

The tornado overturned vehicles and seriously injured at least two people on Friday, Reuters reported. 

Video reviewed by Reuters also showed blown-out windows and a partially collapsed ceiling at a school in Marsala, while cars and trucks lay overturned.

In addition, downed utility poles littered the streets.

Salvatore Cocina, the head of Sicily's Civil Protection agency, told Reuters the scene was "almost like an American tornado."

"Nothing this violent has been seen in living memory," he said. 

Sicily's Civil Protection agency warned in September that a recent heat wave could contribute to extreme weather, Reuters reported.

In a translated Friday statement obtained by Fox News Digital, Sicily's regional councilor for education, Mimmo Turano, said officials were working to secure funding for repairs after the tornado severely damaged the school in Marsala.

"The situation is serious, the school is no longer there and many companies have been affected by this tragedy," Turano said.

"Together with President Schifani, we will implement every intervention useful to support the entire area," he added.

The tornado is the latest in a string of dangerous incidents to strike the Italian island in recent months.

Reuters contributed reporting.