- Mount Etna has erupted again on the Italian Mediterranean island of Sicily.
- The airport of the city of Catania has suspended operations until Tuesday at 06:00 a.m.
- No damage or injuries have been reported so far.
The National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) announced that a lava fountain developed during the night on Monday as a result of increased volcanic activity. This could be observed from afar.
Legend:
Etna, active again, lights up the night sky. Recorded at Rocca Della Valle on August 13, 2023.
Reuters/ETNA WALK/ MARCO RESTIVO
Because a strong ash fall had developed, flight operations at Catania Airport were suspended until Tuesday at 6 a.m., according to a message from the airport at the foot of Mount Etna on the online platform X (formerly: Twitter).
Cycling prohibited for 48 hours
The Mayor of Catania, Enrico Trantino, banned the use of motorcycles and bicycles for 48 hours. This is because many streets are covered with ash. Motorists are instructed not to exceed a speed of 30 kilometers per hour.
Videos on social media show glowing boulders being spit out of the volcano while it was still dark and slowly flowing down the mountain.
Legend:
Patience test at Catania airport. No planes will fly through the airport in the north-east of the island until Tuesday morning.
imago/Joann Randles/Cover Images
Residents urged to exercise caution
According to the INGV, a lava overflow developed particularly at the south-east crater of Mount Etna, which is now cooling down again. Because on Monday morning, according to the INGV, no more lava came out – the lava flow stopped around 3:20 a.m. Local media had reported loud thunder during the night.
There were initially no reports of damage or injuries. Residents report on the Telegram platform that ash and dust rained down locally. Already early Sunday evening there was rumbling on the largest active volcano in Europe, so that the Sicilian civil defense called for special caution early on.