Italian minister to go to Etna region after volcano

Italian Prime Minister Mr Silvio Berlusconi decided today to send his deputy to the Mount Etna region to reassure villagers afraid…

Italian Prime Minister Mr Silvio Berlusconi decided today to send his deputy to the Mount Etna region to reassure villagers afraid their homes may be engulfed by lava streaming from Europe's most active volcano.

The airport of Sicily's second city, Catania, meanwhile reopened today at 6:10 a.m. (0410 GMT) after a massive clean-up to remove ashes amid signs a threat for built-up structures from the volcanic eruptions has eased.

Deputy Prime Minister Mr Gianfranco Fini will meet tomorrow with officials of the town of Nicolosi, on the southern flank of the volcano, where lava from the 3,340-metre (10,958-foot) volcano was edging closer to homes.

The main airport on the island's east coast near Catania was closed yesterday, forcing the cancelation of 62 domestic and international flights at the peak of the tourist season.ButAlitalia flights to and from the city have since resumed.

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Since yesterday lava has been flowing from two new craters on the volcano's southeastern flanks toward the Bove valley. Experts said the flow of lava was showing signs of ebbing and had advanced only 10 meters (30 feet) overnight Sunday to Monday.

AFP