Volcanic activity at the Etna volcano has disrupted air traffic to Catania airport in southern Italy, the airport said on Monday.
The airport posted a message on its website X on Monday morning saying the southeastern airspace would be closed until 6.30 p.m. local time (1730GMT).
“No restrictions on departures from the airport. Passengers are kindly requested to check with the airline for flight status,” it continued.
Air sectors were also temporarily closed on Sunday.
In the past 24 hours, 32 flights have been diverted and some airlines have cancelled domestic and international flights, Italian broadcaster Rai News reported Monday morning.
Etna began erupting early last week from its southeastern crater. The snow-covered environs of Sicily’s famous volcano were once again illuminated with light after a second eruption on Tuesday, when Etna spewed lava about 3,000 metres above sea level.
The eruption attracted thrill-seekers to the volcano. A video posted on social media captured several skiers descending Etna’s snow-covered slopes, with hot rivers of lava flowing out of the crater right behind them.
Etna is located near the cities of Messina and Catania in Sicily. It is the highest active volcano in Europe – as of February 2021, the height of its southeastern crater is 3357 metres. Etna covers an area of 1,190 square metres, which is 2.5 times larger than Vesuvius.
