Palermo schools face chaos following legionella outbreak

The implementation of double shifts at the Antonino Pecoraro middle school in Palermo has resulted in significant disorder and confrontations among parents. The chaos occurred when the afternoon arrival of primary school students from the Trinacria complex—who were urgently relocated due to a legionella alarm at their original site—intersected with the dismissal of middle school students.

Parents reported scenes of panic, shoving, and long queues, noting that children were left distressed in the streets. The situation was exacerbated by local construction work near the school, which restricted pedestrian and vehicle movement. Families have criticized the lack of security personnel and traffic management during the transition.

In response to the unrest, school principal Serena Roccaro issued a circular stating that, starting tomorrow, entry and exit procedures will be separated through different entrances to prevent further congestion.