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American Morning

Mount Etna Erupting

Aired July 26, 2001 - 09:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Mount Etna is still spewing lava and rock.

CNN's Matthew Chance had to move from some of that lava and rock, and we hope he's all right now and can join us on the telephone -- Matthew.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Stephen. I am well, thanks.

What I was trying to say before we got cut off last time we spoke is that there's so much ash and smoke and gas in the air that has been spewing out of the top of that volcano that it's been very difficult to get a mobile phone signal, so everybody's affected by the same thing.

Anyway, the volcano, I don't have to tell you, is an awesome site, that gas spewing out of the top of the volcano. I don't know if you can hear it from where I am standing right now, but few seconds or so, there are these thundering explosions that literally shake underneath the earth where we are standing, on the southern slopes of Mount Etna.

Molten rock and lava is still edging its way very slowly, but deliberately, towards property and populated areas. Most close to the lava flow is a little ski resort up on the southern slopes called Sapienza. Emergency teams are working very hard to try to stem the flow of that lava, to trying to limit the damage it does to this resort. But already, the ski lift, for instance, has been totally engulfed by the approaching lava.

Italian officials, though, are saying there's no immediate threat to population centers at this stage, but they are watching the situation very carefully to see what happens, and it's a very unpredictable situation -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: Matthew, we're going to move on, but we want to say, as we leave you, that we are grateful that you are well and could provide us with that report. Matthew Chance, on the slopes of Mount Etna, in Sicily.

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