Etna erupts again

A new flow of magma threatens tourist facilities

Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna, has erupted again after a short two-day respite.

New explosions blackened the sky above the mountain, and fast-flowing lava devoured three central ski lift pylons on its way down the mountain.

Rescue workers battled to divert the lava that threatened to engulf the Sapienza refuge, a popular tourist spot and a scientific monitoring centre at the foot of the mountain.

The army used bulldozers to crack the asphalt and build barriers in a car park near the centre, in an attempt to create a channel that would redirect the lava away from populated areas.

"There's a new flow of magma which is going toward the tourist infrastructures. That's what is new," Emilio Poma, a spokesman for the monitoring centre, was quoted by the AP news agency as saying.

"First there were just gas emissions. Now there's lava coming out of a new hole," he said.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology said the eruption could go on for weeks.

Grim mood

Although the new flow of lava, at an altitude of about 2,600m (8,580 feet), did not pose a new threat to the nearest town, Nicolosi, the mood there was grim.

Lava destroyed three central ski lift pylons

The town, home to 6,000 people, strives on tourism. But the volcanic activity has become too hot for most visitors, and the ashes make life there uncomfortable.

"Normally during this season we have three to four thousand tourists a day taking the cable car" up the mountain, Nicolosi Mayor Salvatore Moschetto told reporters on Thursday.

"The worst thing is that we don't know when we will be able to get back to normal," he said.

Ski season unlikely

He said he feared that the winter skiing season could also be threatened, because repairs would not be completed in time.

Salvatore Mazzaglia, who runs the company that manages the volcano's sports facilities, said it would take at least two years before skiers would be able to use the site again.

The army used bulldozers in an attempt to redirect the lava

The Italian Government has pledged tax breaks for villagers to help get through the crisis and more than $8m (£5.6m) in immediate financial assistance.

The businesses of 300 families have been affected by the latest eruptions, which started on 12 July.

And Catania airport was closed for two days earlier in the week because of black ash that showered the runways.