House explosion (istock image)
Photo: iStock
A gas explosion collapsed a building in Catania, Italy, late Tuesday. Local authorities have not yet confirmed any casualties. Emergency services on scene are coordinating rescue operations and assessing the damage.
Past volcanic eruptions and airport closures
Mount Etna, near Catania, erupted violently in July last year. Italy’s Geophysical Institute (IGV) claims the volcano has erupted, spewing lava and ash 9.5 kilometers into the sky. There was an eruption on Wednesday night, but it subsided by Thursday morning.
Volcanic ash covered the runway at Catania airport, forcing it to close. Flights and flights were suspended until 6pm on Thursday, and ash fall was recorded by La Sicilia in nearby towns such as Vetore, Nicolosi, La Garna and Pedara. A flight from Malta scheduled to depart at 6am on Thursday was cancelled. The disruption left thousands of people stranded in Feragosto during Italy’s busiest holiday season.
August eruption intensifies chaos
On August 15, 2024, Mount Etna erupted again, necessitating further airport closures. The pilot’s visibility was obstructed by volcanic ash released from the Voragine crater. Officials predicted activity would resume by evening.
All flights were suspended at Catania Airport, a key hub on Sicily’s east coast. Passengers were urged to check flight status before departing to the airport. Nearby cities were covered in volcanic ash, making travel during another holiday in Ferragosto even more difficult. The impact of the eruption on travel was covered by Euronews, which highlighted how black volcanic ash is affecting daily life. This eruption followed a previous eruption on August 4 that caused major disruption.
Europe’s most active volcano
Europe’s most active volcano is still Mount Etna, which regularly impacts nearby areas. Both local communities and aviation are at risk of explosion. The unpredictable nature of volcanoes and their continuing impact on life in Sicily has been covered in many previous articles. Residents are wary of future unrest while emergency personnel continue their work.
