Enormous Mount Etna Eruption Causes Red Alerts And Travel Chaos

Action at the 10,905ft volcano – Europe’s most elevated – has expanded significantly in the most recent 24 hours. 

Nearby Catania Airport, Sicily’s primary international gateway, has seen dozens of flights canceled or delayed, affecting approximately 15,000 passengers.

EasyJet had to cancel connections to London, Milan, and Napoli.

Services will be disrupted for the remainder of today, but Catania Airport will not comment on the situation at this time.

This indicates that the situation could worsen over the coming days.

The Foreign Office in the UK has provided an update on its advice regarding traveling to Sicily.

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.

It is encouraged to follow the directions given by authorities in your area in the event of a volcanic eruption.

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.

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.

Check with your travel agent or Catania airport if you are traveling to or from Catania during this time of increased activity.

This is not a one-time occurrence, according to Italy’s Civil Protection Department. 

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.”

Just a few days ago, Stromboli and Etna were spewing hot ash and lava, necessitating the airport’s temporary closure.

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.

They showed the roads of central Catania and vehicles covered in thick layers of black ash, causing traffic delays.

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, 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.

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.

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.”

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.

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 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.

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.