Mount Etna eruption disrupts air traffic at Sicily’s Catania airport

Sicily's Catania airport has been temporarily closed to all air traffic due to heavy emission of volcanic ash from Mount Etna.

All take-offs and landings have been suspended until 4 pm (1400 GMT) on Saturday, according to a statement from Aeroporto Fontanarossa, CE Report quotes MIA.

In addition, a violent thunderstorm during the night had also caused disruption to air traffic.

The volcano on the Italian island is the most active in Europe. Ash is currently emerging from the north-eastern crater and being carried southwards by the wind.

The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said that the cloud extends 4 kilometres into the sky.

A red alert, the highest of four warning levels for aviation, is currently in effect due to activity at Mount Etna, as was also the case last week and in August.

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