Landslide emergency in Niscemi and European hydrogeological risk prevention instruments

Question for written answer E-001035/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)

The inertia surrounding the updating of the flood hazard maps and the implementation of risk prevention tools by the Sicilian Regional Government has already been raised in written question E-002993/2024[1] and corresponding answer of 21.2.2024[2].

In January 2026, Niscemi was hit by a landslide event that left a 4-kilometre-long scar and subsidence several metres in depth.

The 2024 ISPRA report[3] highlights the urgent need for preventive action and the landslides in Niscemi in 1997 and 2026 are concrete proof of this.

Council Decision (EU) 2019/420[4] aims to strengthen Europe's collective capacity to respond to natural disasters and to improve the effectiveness of systems for preventing, preparing for and responding to natural disasters in the EU.

In the light of the above:

• 1.Does the Commission feel it would be appropriate to activate the rescEU programme to furnish additional resources in response to the crisis in order to protect the citizens of Niscemi and Sicily from further similar disasters?
• 2.Would it not consider it appropriate to provide assistance, through the Technical Support Instrument, in order to strengthen local administrative capacities for the planning of risk mitigation measures?

Submitted: 12.3.2026

• [1] Submitted on 17.2.2024.
• [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-002993-ASW_EN.html
• [3] Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), showing that 94.5 % of Italian municipalities are at risk of landslides/floods.
• [4] Council Decision (EU) 2019/420 amending Decision 2009/2013/EU.