March 29. 2024. 2:51

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Mount Etna eruption halts flights to Sicily’s Catania airport


Flights to the eastern Sicilian town of Catania were halted Sunday (21 May), after volcanic ash from Mount Etna blew onto the airport’s runways. Airport authorities confirmed this.

The volcano, which is 3,330 metres (10,925 feet) tall, can erupt several times per year and shoot ash and lava high above the Mediterranean island. The last major explosion was in 1992.

The airport announced on Twitter that flights to and from Catania — a popular tourist destination — would be suspended until normal conditions of safety could be ensured.

Images in Italian media showed cars in the city covered with a thick layer of gritty dark dust.

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