PEDARA, Sicily (AP) – Residents and municipal teams worked Wednesday to clean up a Sicilian village near Mount Etna after Europe’s most active volcano spewed lava, ash and volcanic rocks.
The eruption, with spectacular displays of flowing lava, forced the temporary closure of Sicily’s Catania airport, a common occurrence when Mount Etna is in an active phase.
As Tuesday’s volcanic activity was largely expected, areas around the crater were secured and there were no reports of injuries or deaths. But local residents said the eruption was unusual, as large chunks of volcanic rocks covered the area, not just ash.
‘It was a rain of stones. Something I’ve never seen in my whole life, ”said Letizia Olivieri, resident of Pedara.
Pedara’s Mayor Alfio Cristaudo said the village had been in emergency mode since the eruption.
“The whole territory of Pedara and all its streets are covered with volcanic ash and lapillus,” or volcanic stones, he said.
Residents and local teams cleaned streets, courtyards, and cars, packed the ashes, and waited for municipal collectors to take it away. Driving motorcycles and scooters was banned, and the speed limit for cars was lowered to limit the further spread of ash.
Pedara resident Massimiliano Formica said he was home on Tuesday afternoon when he heard what he said was the start of a rainstorm. But when he looked outside, he saw that it was’ raining in a strange way. I went out and I saw earth fall down. Also large stones. “
Etna is a popular tourist destination and the eruptions, especially when seen at night, are spectacular to watch.