On Sicily, a Mediterranean island, the level of alert has been raised due to eruptions at Italy’s Mount Etna and Stromboli volcanoes.
Action at the 10,905ft volcano – Europe’s most elevated – has expanded significantly in the most recent 24 hours.
Incredible Force
The largest crater on Etna was photographed spewing lava with incredible force.
Nearby Catania Airport, Sicily’s primary international gateway, has seen dozens of flights canceled or delayed, affecting approximately 15,000 passengers.
Flight Cancellations
Ryanair had to cancel 42 flights within Italy, including those to Rome, Venice, Pisa, and Bergamo.
EasyJet had to cancel connections to London, Milan, and Napoli.
Redirections
In the interim, a few flights have been redirected to Palermo, a four-hour drive away.
Services will be disrupted for the remainder of today, but Catania Airport will not comment on the situation at this time.
Etna Observatory
Etna’s Observatory (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)) has issued a red warning.
This indicates that the situation could worsen over the coming days.
Activity Warning
It warned that Strombolian activity in the Voragine crater had experienced a “gradual increase” at 8 pm on Wednesday.
The Foreign Office in the UK has provided an update on its advice regarding traveling to Sicily.
The Eruption Has Lit Up The Sky
New photos of the eruption shows red hot lava spewing out of the volcano’s mouth, lighting up the Sicilian sky with magma.
Plumes of smoke rose from the site of the eruption. The eruption came from the Voragine, one of the volcano’s largest craters. Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and the tallest active volcano in Europe.
Eruption Advice
The alert levels for both Stromboli and Etna in the south of Italy have been raised by local authorities as a result of volcanic activity.
It is encouraged to follow the directions given by authorities in your area in the event of a volcanic eruption.
New Paroxysm In The Voragine Crater
Volcano Discovery has reported that a new paroxysm had started on Mount Etna on the 15th.
A paroxysm is when the volcano starts to spurt tall fountains of lava. The current fountaining is happening from the Voragine crater, where most of the volcanic activity has been happening in this eruption. Mild activity had started in the evening with a volcanic tremor, but the activity has since restarted and intensified.
One Life Has Already Been Taken By The Eruption
A 55-year-old American tourist has died since the eruption. The man was rescued by Italy’s alpine rescue service while on an excursion on the southern side of Mount Etna.
Rescuers have not yet established the cause of the tourist’s illness. He was pronounced dead at the scene when the rescue team found him in a remote area. The rescuers have warned that high temperatures and increased humidity may be dangerous for tourists.
Airspace Impact
Eruptions can affect the airspace as has been observed over the years from several eruptions.
Check with your travel agent or Catania airport if you are traveling to or from Catania during this time of increased activity.
INGV Statement
INGV elaborated in a statement: “The average amplitude of the volcanic tremor, after a gradual increase observed starting from 8pm yesterday, has reached the high level, with an increasing trend.”
This is not a one-time occurrence, according to Italy’s Civil Protection Department.
Foreign Offices Have Warned Tourists
Not only have Italian authorities warned tourists to take extra precautions when at this vacation hotspot, so have the foreign offices of countries where their citizens often travel to Sicily for the summer.
The UK Foreign Office warned: “Due to volcanic activity, local authorities have increased the alert levels for both Etna and Stromboli in the south of Italy. In the event of a volcanic eruption, following the advice of local authorities.”
Mount Etna Eruptions
In recent decades, Mount Etna has erupted multiple times.
Just a few days ago, Stromboli and Etna were spewing hot ash and lava, necessitating the airport’s temporary closure.
Stromboli Volcano Is Also Causing Problems
Mount Etna is not the only eruption causing problems for Sicilian locals and tourists. Italy’s Civil Protection Department issued a red alert after the eruption of Stromboli volcano and raised the threat from moderate to severe.
This was because the authorities were noticing “rapid developments” in the volcano’s behaviour. With lava spilling into the sea, Stromboli’s volcano has been generating plumes of smoke reaching over a mile high.
Social Media
Videos shared via social media on Friday highlighting the extent of the damage.
They showed the roads of central Catania and vehicles covered in thick layers of black ash, causing traffic delays.
Two Sides Of The Same Event
While some took to social media to show the extent of the damage caused by Mount Etna’s eruption, others were more in awe by its natural beauty.
Blogger, Luigi Pistarà tweeted: “Last night, Mount Etna put on a show that was out of this world! The fiery eruption aligned perfectly with the Milky Way, creating a celestial spectacle that was truly breathtaking. Who knew that Mother Nature could be such a skilled cosmic photographer?”
The Mayor Of Catania Has Imposed A New Speed Limit
Due to the frequency of the volcanic activity in Catania, tourists and locals alike usually remain undisturbed.
The mayor of Catania, Enrico Trantino, has issued an order banning people from using two-wheeled forms of transport for 48 hours. Trantino also set a speed limit of 18 miles per hour due to the dangers of driving on volcanic ash that might be strewn across the roads.
Tourist Advice
Tourists have been told to stay away from areas around the volcano craters.
Additionally, they have been advised to listen to the government on the radio and television.
Italy, alongside Iceland, has the largest concentration of active volcanoes found in Europe.
Italy’s Civil Protection Department Doubles Down On Warnings
Italy’s Civil Protection Department said that alongside Iceland, their high concentration of active volcanoes means that the country is “one of the first in the world for the number of inhabitants exposed to volcanic risk”.
The CPD also said: “It is dangerous to approach the crater area even if there is no eruptive activity as sudden explosive phenomena or gas emissions are always possible.”
Stromboli Has Been A Threat To Tourists
Stromboli is an island just off Sicily that barely covers five square miles in area. The top of the volcano makes up most of the island, while most of it is underwater. The volcano has been erupting continuously for about 90 years.
While the eruptions have not caused too many problems, an eruption in 2019 caused the death of a 35-year-old hiker and forced 30 tourists to jump into the sea for safety.
Tourists May Not Be Equipped For Climbing
A spokesman for the alpine rescue service in Sicily, Alfio Ferrara, has warned that “tourists who participate in these excursions should not underestimate the risks related to high temperatures, strong humidity and the sudden jump in altitude”.
Ferrara said that tourists often take on mountain excursions that reach 6,500 to 9,800 feet in altitude after spending all day at the beach.
The Eruption Exacerbates Current Heatwaves In Europe
Mount Etna’s eruption could not come at a worse time. Prior to the spike in volcanic activity, parts of central and southern Europe were already enduring sweltering heat.
The current heatwaves in the areas affected have temperatures skyrocketing towards 104 degrees in some places. The Italian authorities have warned people to be extra careful, to drive carefully, and stay inside during peak hours.
Tourists Should Proceed With Caution
If two simultaneous volcano eruptions are not enough to put you off ticking Sicily off your bucket list, then prepare for a little bit of chaos.
For tourists who are still going, make sure you can easily receive updated information about your flights there and back, and listen out for any notifications from the local authority. While you may have to give mountaineering a miss, the authorities are well prepared.
