Messina Braces for Simulated 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake in major Civil Protection Exercise
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A complete city-wide drill, “Messina Risk SIS.MA. 2025,” commenced today, October 6, 2025, to test the readiness of Messina, Italy, to respond to a meaningful seismic event. The exercise, involving a broad coalition of municipal, regional, and national agencies, simulates a 6.3 magnitude earthquake with an intensity of IX° (MCS) centered in the city, aiming to identify vulnerabilities and refine emergency protocols.
The week-long exercise, scheduled to conclude on October 11, 2025, is a proactive measure to bolster the city’s resilience against natural disasters. According to estimates from the National Civil Protection Department,a quake of this magnitude could result in the collapse of approximately 1,853 residential buildings and render 36,194 uninhabitable. The potential human cost is estimated at 4,010 injuries or fatalities,with an additional 80,113 residents perhaps displaced.
City-Wide Mobilization Underway
The simulation kicked off this morning from the Municipal Operations center (COC), with coordinated activities unfolding across the city. Schools, universities, and critical infrastructure are actively participating in a range of drills and assessments. The Comprehensive Institute “Tremestieri,” and the Comprehensive Institute “Tremestieri,” are conducting internal and external evacuation drills, student and staff censuses, and simulations of fire and building collapse scenarios. Usability of school buildings is also being rigorously assessed.
The University of Messina, across its various campuses including the Mariani Palace and the COSPECS department, is enacting emergency procedures, including evacuations to designated safe zones and structural damage assessments. Simultaneously, the Military and Arsenal Navy Base Maremoti are conducting training activities in the strait of Messina, focusing on evacuation procedures and emergency management.
Siren Tests and emergency Communications
A key component of today’s activities, and continuing through Tuesday, October 7th and 8th, involves testing the city’s alarm siren system. Between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM local time,19 sirens across Messina will be activated,cycling through three distinct signals: a pre-alert (intermittent sound),an alarm (bitonal sound),and a cease alarm (continuous sound). Staff from the municipal civil protection service and volunteer groups will verify the sirens’ functionality and the visibility of emergency signage.
Detailed Schedule for Tuesday,October 7th
Tomorrow’s schedule is packed with specific drills and assessments. At 9:08 AM, the COC will initiate another seismic event simulation (IX MCS – 6.3 Richter). This will be followed by the activation of emergency procedures and interaction protocols by the Mayor or councilor for Civil Protection.
Further planned activities include:
- 9:15 AM: The Environment Department – Cimitori Service will focus on managing individuals impacted by collapses,identifying storage areas,and activating maximum emergency procedures.
- 9:20 AM: The Comprehensive Institute “Pascoli – Crispi” will conduct fire and collapse simulations, evacuation drills, and personnel censuses.
- 9:30 AM: Multiple locations, including the 11th Comprehensive Institute “Gravitelli Paino” and the multifunctional Civil Protection Center, will focus on population assistance, evacuation procedures, and damage assessments.
- 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM: A series of schools and universities, including the Classical high school “G. La Farina” and the University of Studies, Piazza XX Settembre, will conduct evacuation drills, structural checks, and rescue simulations.
- 12:45 PM: The Revenue Agency provincial headquarters will practice personnel and user evacuation procedures.
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Continued siren tests and verification of emergency systems.
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The “Messina Risk Sis.ma. 2025” exercise represents a significant investment in the city’s preparedness, aiming to minimize the impact of a potential future earthquake and ensure the safety of its citizens. The comprehensive nature of the drills, involving a wide range of stakeholders, underscores Messina’s commitment to building a more resilient community.
