Mount Etna eruption halts flights to Sicily's Catania airport

The airport in the Italian city of Catania has suspended operations due to the eruption of Mount Etna.

Operations at the airport are hampered by volcanic ash deposited on the runways. The airport concluded that aircraft take-offs and landings in such conditions were unsafe.

The 3,330 metre (10,925 ft) high volcano can burst into spectacular action several times a year, firing lava and ash high over the Mediterranean island. The last major eruption was in 1992.

Cars in the city were covered in a layer of dark gritty dust, images in the Italian media showed.