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Thousands Stranded as Etna's Eruption Shuts Catania Airport
19 Aug
Summary
- Mount Etna's eruption has caused hundreds of flight cancellations.
- Thousands of passengers are stranded at Catania airport.
- The ash emissions could continue for weeks or months.
Sicily is experiencing its worst aviation disruption in over two decades due to Mount Etna's continuous eruption since August 6. The volcano's ash emissions have forced hundreds of flight cancellations and diversions at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, stranding tens of thousands of travelers. Airport operations have been severely restricted, with arrival caps lowered due to shifting ash clouds.
This eruption stands out for its unusual duration, potentially lasting weeks or months, unlike typical shorter events. Experts from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology note simultaneous activity across multiple craters, with lava flows posing no immediate threat to populated areas. The Italian Civil Protection Department maintains a yellow alert status for Etna.
