Etna Volcano Erupts Again: Ash Cloud Halts Air Traffic

One of Europe's most active volcanoes, Italy's Etna, has become active again. The massive ash cloud rising into the sky forced the closure of Catania Airport in Sicily, with all flights canceled or postponed. Located on the Italian island of Sicily, Etna Volcano erupted again with a violent explosion of lava and ash. The volcanic activity that started at 07.45 local time on Sunday morning intensified throughout the day, with ash clouds rising kilometers high and affecting air travel. Due to Etna's intense ash emission, Catania Airport, one of Sicily's busiest air travel hubs, was closed to all incoming flights. ITA Airways, Italy's national airline, announced that all landings and takeoffs at the airport have been canceled or rescheduled. The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) raised the aviation alert level to 'red' due to Etna's intense volcanic activity. It was reported that the ash cloud from the volcano's crater reached a height of approximately 1.6 kilometers and that glowing lava fragments were seen in the sky in the evening.