The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in the province of Catania, Sicily after lava from the erupting Mount Etna volcano edged closer to homes. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting in Rome today.
It followed demands by Mayor Salvator Moschetto of the town of Nicolosi, on the southern flank of the restless volcano, who had warned that unless a state of emergency was declared, he would call a press conference to declare that his community had been abandoned.
About 70 families had been served evacuation warnings by Sunday as lava neared their houses.
Mr Moschetto said he had waited patiently until the G8 summit of leading industrial nations had finished Sunday in the Italian port city of Genoa. "Now we want action," he said.
He said the lava was threatening both dwellings and a tourist centre 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) up the mountain side. Later today, Mr Moschetto he said he had received the "reassuring news" of a "reduction of activity in the two mouths of the volcano that are feeding the flow" of lava threatening the township.
A spokesman for the Poseidon centre that is monitoring the eruption saidthe lava remains about four kilometres (three miles) from the town, the same position as Sunday, and its rate of progress had slowed considerably from Friday.
He said the situation had "stabilised a little on Monday as the lava is progressing less rapidly. All the same, the seismic activity of the volcano is being maintained and some tremors have been registered."
Police in Catania said they have prepared an evacuation plan for the area.
AFP