Passengers at an airport in southern Italy panicked after powerful gusts smashed into its terminal on Wednesday evening.

The winds, which reportedly reached up to 64 knots, tore down a plasterboard wall and shattered a glass gate at the Falcone Borsellino Airport in Sicily on March 30.

Footage shows pieces of broken plaster littering the terminal floor after the wall had collapsed onto a row of chairs. A loud siren can be heard blaring in the background as passengers were ushered to safety.

Airport operator GESAP said the incident happened at around 10:30 pm and triggered emergency protocols. Eight flights were cancelled due to the freak weather.

Stunned commuters were evacuated and the airport was closed until 2:30 am on March 31. There were no injuries or casualties reported.

The incident is believed to be caused by the strong Sirocco winds - warm and humid gales originating from North Africa - currently blowing over Palermo.