Mount Etna eruption disrupts travel, blankets Catania in ash
Increased activity of Mount Etna in Sicily is making life difficult for residents. On Tuesday, the volcanic ash cloud reached a height of 5 miles. At the Catania airport, all arrivals and departures were suspended.
7:17 AM EDT, July 24, 2024
The airport in Catania, Sicily, was fully reopened on Tuesday evening after many hours of flight suspensions due to Mount Etna's activity and ash covering the runways. Many connections were canceled, and some flights were redirected to other airports on the island. Significant delays were noted.
Etna eruption: Thick layer of ash covered the city
Once again, Catania, which receives thousands of tourists daily from around the world in the peak summer season, is struggling with the consequences of the heightened activity of Europe's highest active volcano. The rising volcanic ash cloud reached a height of 5 miles.
A thick layer of ash covered the city. Many people walked around Catania with umbrellas, protecting themselves from it, while others covered their heads with newspapers.
A major cleanup began everywhere. The ash that had settled on airport runways and airplanes needed to be removed.
Mayor Enrico Trantino issued a decree banning two-wheeled vehicles on all streets for two days and limiting the speed of cars in the city to 20 mph.
He also ordered that residents place the volcanic ash cleaned from their properties and balconies in containers or bags and set them outside their homes, where municipal services would collect them.
In the interest of public health, street sweeping and thorough cleaning of the squares take place at night. This operation will continue until Friday.
