A major landslide triggered by violent storms forced thousands to evacuate in Italy.

A 2.5-mile (four-kilometre) stretch of cliff collapsed on Sunday on the island of Sicily after being battered by heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Harry.

Houses in the Sicilian town of Niscemi were left perched dangerously close to the drop after part of the plateau collapsed.

Footage shows earth cascading down from above the residential area.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

Civil protection head Fabio Ciciliano said: 'There are homes on the edge of the landslide that are uninhabitable.

'Once the water has drained away and the moving section has stopped or slowed, a more accurate assessment will be made. The landslide is still active.'

The Italian government declared a state of emergency on Monday for Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria, the three southern regions hardest hit by the freak weather.