The airport of the Sicilian city of Catania has reopened after a huge clean-up operation to remove ashes from Mount Etna eruptions.
The main airport on Sicily's east coast was closed yesterday at 10.45 a.m(9.45 Irish time), forcing the cancellation of domestic and international flights at the peak of the tourist season. It was reopened at 6.10 a.m. local time
The Italian government yesterday declared a state of emergency in the province of Catania after lava from the erupting Mount Etna volcano edged closer to homes on its slopes.
It followed demands by Mr Salvatore Moschetto - the mayor of the town of Nicolosi, on the southern flank of the volcano - who had warned he would call a press conference to declare that his community had been abandoned unless a state of emergency was declared.
Mr Moschetto today said he was "slightly optimistic" even though it was "too early to say" whether the danger for Nicolosi was over. "It is too early to make predictions. We'll have to wait until vapour and ash emissions stop," he said.
About 70 families had been served evacuation warnings by Sunday as lava neared their houses.
AFP