The eruption of Sicily’s Mount Etna sent ash and volcanic gases into the sky on Thursday and forced the cancellation of all flights in and out of nearby Catania airport.
Officials said that the runway was rendered unusable due to ash deposits at the airport.
What the airport said
„Due to Mt Etna’s explosive activity and the simultaneous release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, [the] Due to significant fall of volcanic ash at the airport, the runway is unusable and hence, both arrivals and departures have been suspended, airport officials said.
„Flight operations will resume once aviation infrastructure conditions are restored.”
The airport also said it was unclear when the airport would be fully operational again.
„Passengers are therefore advised not to proceed to the airport without first checking the status of their flight with the airline.”
Houses and streets around Catania were covered in dark gray dust.
Flights were also grounded earlier this month due to the cloud of ash and smoke.
Millions of passengers pass through Catania Airport every year, serving the eastern part of Sicily along with tourist destinations such as Syracuse and Taormina.
Constant activity for close to millennia
Etna – Europe’s largest active volcano – is about 3,350 meters (just over 11,000 feet), although its height varies with eruptions.
The volcano, which is constantly monitored, attracts a large number of visitors during its regular eruptions.
The Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported an increase in seismic activity in the region since early July.
Etna has been in constant activity for thousands of years. In Greek and Roman mythology, the black gods Hephaestus and Vulcan both had their forges under Mount Etna to create lightning bolts for Zeus and Jupiter.
rc/dj (dpa, AFP)