OREANDA-NEWS. A new eruption of Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily was recorded by experts from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Italy (Ingv).

According to scientists, the current increase in the activity of the volcano began at 16:10 local time (18:10 Moscow time) and was accompanied by fountains of lava and a powerful ejection of volcanic ash, which formed a huge cloud that rose above the crater for about a kilometer.

The eruption was recorded on the southeastern slope of the volcano, along which streams of incandescent lava descended to about two thousand meters above sea level.

The eruption of the Strombolian type was characterized by small explosions, the release of volcanic bombs and fragments of a rather large incandescent slag. These pieces of rock fell on several settlements near the volcano, in particular on the villages of Nikolozi, Pedara, Mascalucia and Trecastagni.

The release of a piece into the stones caused some material damage, but there was no information about human casualties or injuries. Separate volcanic rock ejections even reached the center of the Catania province. Volcanic ash fell in parts of this large city.

Due to the eruption of Etna, the Italian authorities decided to close the airspace in the area. The administration of Catania International Airport has suspended its operation indefinitely, as the services cannot ensure flight safety.