Etna eruption closes Catania airport, Stromboli on red alert

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 5 - The SAC agency that operates Catania airport closed its airspace early on Friday due to ash in the atmosphere caused by eruptions on Mount Etna, while the Sicilian island of Stromboli is on red alert because of volcanic activity there.
    SAC said there was ash on the runways but expects flights to resume at 15:00 on Friday.
    Catania Mayor Enrico Trantino has issued an order banning people from using two-wheeled forms of transport for 48 hours and setting a speed limit of 30 km/h because of the ash.
    The civil protection department has told people on Stromboli to monitor the information provided by the local authorities due to the alert there.
    "At the moment Stromboli's volcano is under special surveillance" said Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci.
    He said the civil protection department would hold a meeting to assess the situation on Friday, adding that each part of the island's emergency evacuation plan was being verified. (ANSA).