Etna eruption closes Catania airport, Stromboli on red alert

The SAC agency that operates Catania
airport closed its airspace early on Friday due to ash in the
atmosphere caused by eruptions on Mount Etna, while the Sicilian
island of Stromboli is on red alert because of volcanic activity
there.

   
SAC said there was ash on the runways but expects flights to
resume at 15:00 on Friday.

   
Catania Mayor Enrico Trantino has issued an order banning people
from using two-wheeled forms of transport for 48 hours and
setting a speed limit of 30 km/h because of the ash.

   
The civil protection department has told people on Stromboli to
monitor the information provided by the local authorities due to
the alert there.

   
"At the moment Stromboli's volcano is under special
surveillance" said Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci.

   
He said the civil protection department would hold a meeting to
assess the situation on Friday, adding that each part of the
island's emergency evacuation plan was being verified.

   

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