Italy's Mount Etna begins spewing ash, lava

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) – Mount Etna in Italy began spewing ash and lava late Friday, prompting a red code for aviation.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) issued a red code for aviation after Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes located in southern Italy, erupted again, spewing lava and ashes.

Despite the red code for aviation, Italy's Catania airport has been unaffected, according to local media reports.

Lava had reached a level that could be seen from surrounding cities such as Catania and Taormina.

Mount Etna, at 3,357 meters (11,014 feet) in height, is one of the world's most active volcanoes, with an almost constant state of activity. It erupted for the last time on Nov. 13-16.