Thursday, 13 August 2026
Rīga TV

World and Latvian news in one place

WorldPublished: 13 August 2026 at 15:59

Mount Etna Eruption Forces Cancellation of Hundreds of Flights in Sicily

An eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily has disrupted the plans of tens of thousands of travelers over the past week, releasing an unusually large amount of ash.

Foto: The New York Times

Mount Etna, the volcano on the Italian island of Sicily, has triggered significant aviation disruptions after erupting and sending a large plume of ash into the sky. While the volcano erupts frequently, an expert noted that this event has produced an unusually large volume of ash compared with typical eruptions.

Over the past week, the resulting disruptions have affected the travel plans of tens of thousands of people. Volcanic ash poses a serious hazard to aviation, as it can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility, prompting authorities to cancel hundreds of flights.

Impact on travelers

The disruptions at Sicilian airports have had ripple effects beyond local travel, also affecting international flights passing through the region. The situation continues to develop, with airlines monitoring changes in volcanic activity to determine future flight schedules.

Comments

0/1500

Comments are automatically moderated. No hate, threats, personal data or spam.

Loading comments…

More in this category