The Civil Protection agency in Italy has issued a red alert for the nearby island of Stromboli as the volcano there started erupting earlier in the week, sending ash clouds two kilometers into the sky and spilling lava into the sea. This warning comes on the heels of Mount Etna’s eruption on the Italian island of Sicily, which prompted the closure of Catania Airport due to the risks posed by volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
Catania Airport was closed on Friday and flights were suspended until 3pm local time, with restrictions still in place. In response to the ash fall from Mount Etna, the Mayor of Catania issued an order banning two-wheeled vehicles and restricting the speed limit in the city. The eruption also led to Italy’s Civil Protection agency raising the alert level from green to yellow in the area.
Italy, along with Iceland, has the highest concentration of active volcanoes in Europe and is one of the most densely populated areas exposed to volcanic risk. The Civil Protection Department advised locals and tourists to follow authorities’ instructions through various communication channels.
Fabrizio Curcio, Head of the Civil Protection Department, emphasized the special surveillance and scientific monitoring in place for Stromboli following the red alert. The agency warned of the potential for further deterioration of the situation on the island. This ongoing volcanic activity serves as a reminder of the hazards posed by living near active or potentially active volcanoes in southern Italy.
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