A significant eruption at Mount Etna has prompted tourists to evacuate from the Italian volcano, as authorities reported a cloud of high-temperature gases, ash, and rock rose several kilometres into the atmosphere. Dramatic social media footage captured the urgent retreat of crowds following the eruption, which occurred on Monday. One tour operator recounted having 40 people present on the volcano during the incident.
Giuseppe Panfallo, a guide with Go Etna, filmed his group as they sought shelter from the enormous ash cloud, expressing gratitude for their responsible guide. “We were nearly grazed,” he mentioned, highlighting the suddenness and intensity of the eruption, which was marked by a loud roar.
Sicilian Civil Protection Agency officials are coordinating with various tour operators to ensure all visitors are safe. Mount Etna, a frequently active volcano that attracts around 1.5 million tourists annually, hasn’t seen an eruption of this scale since 2014. Although the explosive activity has increased, past eruptions have often been brief, with the current event producing only small amounts of lava.
Witnesses reported that the eruption’s sounds could be heard from locations such as Taormina and Catania, which are approximately 40 to 50 kilometres away. Initial observations suggest that there was a partial collapse of the volcano’s south-east crater, from which significant lava flows had emerged in recent months.
Officials also stated that ash is not expected to impact Catania. However, local authorities are prepared to issue alerts should wind conditions change. Both Catania and Palermo airports continue to operate as usual, although air traffic advisories recommend avoiding areas affected by ash. Some flights have been redirected to Palermo as a precaution.
In response to the situation, many roads leading to Mount Etna have been closed to prevent unauthorized access and to allow emergency services unhindered access. By early afternoon, the volcano began emitting hot lava, resembling patterns seen in prior eruptions. The observatory has classified the eruption as pyroclastic, indicating a dangerous combination of high-temperature gases, lava, ash, and varying rock sizes cascading down the slopes.
As the situation unfolds, monitoring agencies remain vigilant, ensuring both the safety of visitors and the integrity of the vibrant ecosystem surrounding Mount Etna.