Italy panic:1 hour before sunset in Sicily Italy,Mount Etna erupt,as earth rose,rumbling across land

All flights have been cancelled or diverted to other airports in Sicily for the Ferragosto public holiday in Italy. Travel to and from the Italian island of Sicily is currently disrupted due to a volcanic eruption that occurred overnight. Catania international airport remains closed on Thursday, August 15, with all arrivals and departures suspended after Mount Etna sent a plume of smoke into the air. Volcanic ash is affecting pilot visibility. Operations are expected to resume around 6pm, but passengers have been advised to check their flight status before leaving home.

The disruption comes on one of the busiest days for travel as Italy celebrates its biggest national holiday, Ferragosto. Nearby towns were also covered in black volcanic ash after the Voragine crater began erupting last night. The previous eruption occurred two weeks ago on August 4. Catania is located on the east coast of Sicily and at the foot of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano.