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Etna Eruption Forces Closure of Catania Airport

Etna Eruption Forces Closure of Catania Airport

Catania Airport is anticipated to remain closed until 6 PM on Thursday after ash covered the runway following an eruption of Mount Etna on Wednesday night.

The airport was shut down and flights to and from Catania were canceled due to the volcanic eruption, which sent ash and molten lava soaring kilometers into the air.

According to Italy’s Istituto di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (IGV), the volcano erupted with columns of lava and ash reaching heights of up to 9.5 kilometers, although it began to calm down in the early hours of Thursday.

Despite the reduced activity, Catania Airport was closed due to the hazards posed by the fine ash that clouded the atmosphere and settled on the runway. A flight from Malta to Catania, scheduled to depart at 6 AM, was among those canceled, including its return flight.

This eruption occurred during the peak of the holiday season, known as Ferragosto in Italy, significantly disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.

Local newspaper La Sicilia reported that the eruption caused pyroclastic material to fall in the areas of Vetore, Nicolosi, Ragalna, and Pedara.

Rene Khan

Rene Khan

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