Italy issues a tsunami alert and evacuates schools in Palermo and Messina after twelve earthquakes strike off Sicily

Italy's civil protection agency issued a tsunami alert and evacuated schools in Palermo and Messina after twelve earthquakes struck off Sicily.

The most powerful tremor, recorded at 5.7 by the US Geological Survey and 5.0 by Italian seismologists, hit the southern Tyrrhenian Sea at around 12.20pm on Friday, with its epicentre fewer than 60 miles from Palermo. A courthouse in Trapani was evacuated, and on the Aeolian island of Filicudi a rock face reportedly gave way. No injuries or property damage were reported.

The orange alert, which indicates waves of under 0.5 metres, does not signal that a tsunami will definitely occur.

Sicily's civil protection chief Salvo Cocina said further tremors cannot be ruled out and placed towns on alert.

Palermo mayor Roberto Lagalla told residents to keep clear of the coastline.