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U.S. Department of State: No U.S. citizens known affected after Mount Etna eruption; travelers urged to enroll in STEP
Summary
A State Department spokesperson said the agency is monitoring Mount Etna’s eruption and is not aware of any U.S. citizens affected; travelers in the area were urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and follow local emergency instructions.
A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. Department of State is closely monitoring an eruption of Mount Etna and is not aware of any U.S. citizens affected at this time.
The spokesperson said the department is encouraging Americans in the affected area to monitor local news and follow emergency instructions from local authorities and that the department will provide information to U.S. citizens via Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) messages, consulate websites, social media and travel.state.gov. “We are not aware of any US citizens affected at this time, and we are monitoring the situation closely,” the State Department spokesperson said. “We strongly encourage US citizens in the affected area to monitor local news and follow the emergency instructions provided by local authorities.”
The spokesperson said the department will ‘‘provide information to US citizens in the area through the smart traveler enrollment program messages, our consulate websites, social media, and at travel.state.gov as necessary.’’ The spokesperson added, “That’s step.state.gov.”
The transcript did not specify how many, if any, U.S. citizens might have been in the affected area or the precise date of the eruption beyond the reference to “yesterday.” The department’s comments in the transcript indicate it will continue to update Americans through STEP and its consular channels as needed.
