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CNN Saturday Morning News

Sicilians Work to Divert Mount Etna's Lava Flow

Aired July 28, 2001 - 09:02   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Sicily, experts say two more fractures have opened up on Mount Etna. That may help relieve some of the pressure as the volcano continues spewing lava, smoke, and ash.

CNN's Matthew Chance is getting as close to the fiery scene as he possibly can.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Efforts to divert the lava flow are relentless but increasingly desperate. With no end in sight to Mount Etna's intensive eruption, this concerned this and other populated areas on its volcanic slopes could be inundated. Already several buildings, parts of the main road, and a ski lift have been completely lost.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Our work will continue until the lava stops. We work 24 hour a day, as long as it takes. I think we still have the means of confronting this emergency.

CHANCE: In the shadow of the volcano, this restaurant is just one of the many local businesses now under threat. The owners say they're praying their property will be spared. They've lost so much in the past.

Here, the old premises swallowed in an earlier eruption, now a half-buried monument to the destruction Mount Etna's eruptions can bring.

Away from the lava flow, local towns and villages are struggling to clear their streets of volcanic ash. The thick black soot is blanketing vast areas, but residents say they've gotten used to the constant need to sweep.

This is our life," he says. "When the volcano is calm, then we're calm too. But when it grumbles like this," he says, "it gives us a lot of trouble."

Even in an area accustomed to volcanic activity, these intensive displays are putting nerves on edge.

(on camera): Officials say the main population areas to the south of here are relatively safe, and there are still no orders to evacuate. But this remains a highly unpredictable volcano, and the Italian authorities say they are at least preparing for the worst.

Matthew Chance, CNN, on the slopes of Mount Etna.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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