Mount Etna on Sicily island, Italy, the largest and still active volcano in Europe, erupted, releasing ash into the atmosphere and causing a temporary suspension of inbound flights. This affected passengers at Catania airport.
Catania airport issued a statement closing airspace over the southwest area covered by Etna's volcanic ash and suspended inbound flights until 12:00 local time due to the eruption and the large amount of ash released into the atmosphere.
Flights scheduled to arrive in Catania were diverted to other airports on Sicily, while many outbound flights were canceled, leaving tourists preparing for vacations and those returning home stranded at the airport.
The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), which monitors Etna's activity, reported that the volcano continues to erupt violently at the Voragine crater, with alternating periods of high and reduced intensity.
Later, after the volcanic alert level was lowered from red to orange, Catania airport was authorized to resume flight operations Saturday afternoon.
Mount Etna is Europe's highest and still active volcano and a major tourist attraction in Sicily, drawing many hikers and tourists to its foothills. Visitors who prefer not to approach can admire the volcano's beauty from a distance, especially from the Ionian Sea area.
. Source:Aljazeera
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