A cloud of volcanic ash spewing from Europe鈥檚 most active volcano has prompted the closure of one of Sicily鈥檚 largest airports, leading to flights being delayed, cancelled and diverted.
Sicily鈥檚 Catania international airport, known as Catania鈥揊ontanarossa Airport, is to remain closed until 8 p.m. local time on Monday following the eruption of nearby Mount Etna, the airport press office said in a statement.
鈥淎ll arrivals and departures are therefore prohibited,鈥 the statement said, adding that 鈥減assengers are kindly requested to present themselves at the airport only after consulting their airline.鈥
The volcanic activity, which began late Sunday, evolved into a 鈥渓ava fountain,鈥 producing a volcanic cloud dispersed in a southerly direction, according to the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology鈥檚 Etna observatory.
This is 鈥減roducing a fallout of ash in the southern sector of the volcano and beyond,鈥 it said.
Several flights scheduled to arrive in Catania, including those from destinations such as Malta, France, Austria, and other Italian regions, have been cancelled, delayed, or diverted, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.
The closure comes just days after the airport resumed operations, having been disrupted by a major fire in its terminal building in mid-July.
As well as being the most active, Mount Etna is Europe鈥檚 highest volcano, at about 3,350 metres tall.