WATCH: Mount Etna, Europe’s Most Active Volcano Erupts, Spews Ash On Catania

International

oi-Deepika S

Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, erupted on Sunday, spewing volcanic ash on Catania, eastern Sicily’s largest city.

The volcanic eruption forced authorities to cancel flights to and from Catania, a popular tourist destination until normal safety conditions could be guaranteed.

“Due to the eruptive activity of Etna and copious amounts of volcanic ash on the airport surfaces, flight operations are suspended until safety conditions are restored,” airport authorities said in a statement.

Cars in the city were covered in a layer of dark gritty dust. However, there was no loss of life reported, according to the Italian media.

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The Repubblica Daily reported loud rumbles were heard in the region from early Sunday.

Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) warned that it had recorded evidence of a stepping up in tremor activity in recent days.

According to Rueter’s report, the 3,330 metre (10,925 ft) high volcano can burst into spectacular action several times a year, firing lava and ash high over the Mediterranean island. The last major eruption was in 1992.