Etna flow slows

The two main rivers of molten lava flowing down Mount Etna appeared to have slowed down today.

Emergency workers remained on high alert but the dams of earth and volcanic rock put up to protect the a tourist base were diverting the flow and keeping it under control, officials said.

But the lava was still slowly advancing.

The other river of lava, which in the past days threatened the town of Nicolosi, appeared to have stopped advancing, and remained at about 2.5 miles from the town, home to 6,000 people.

Two eruptions overnight caused a rain of black ash in the region, but the airport in Catania was kept open and flights were on schedule.

Lava flowing from Europe’s biggest and most active volcano has been unpredictable, slowing one day, then speeding up.

Etna, which towers 10,860 feet above Sicily, comes to life every few months. The last major eruption was in 1992.

Although none of the towns on Etna’s slopes have been damaged, there have been losses in agriculture and tourism and the government has earmarked about £5.6m to help the area recover.

Last night, people leaving on the slopes of the Europe’s most active volcano, asked for divine protection.

‘‘The warmer our prayers, the colder the lava,’’ said Catania Archbishop Luigi Bommarito during a Mass celebrated in the evening at the foot of the mountain.