Mount Etna Erupts Strongly, Tourists Flee Sicily Slopes

Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano located in Sicily, erupted on Monday, sending spectacular clouds of ash, gas, and rock into the sky and causing tourists on the slopes to scramble for safety. The eruption included a pyroclastic flow caused by a collapse of material from the volcano’s southeast crater, with lava flowing in multiple directions, though it did not pose a danger to nearby populations. Authorities issued aviation warnings, including a temporary red alert, as the ash plume reached heights of over 6 kilometers, causing some flight delays at Catania Airport. Despite the dramatic visuals and tourist evacuations, officials emphasized that the explosions were confined to the summit area, which had been closed for safety, and declared the volcanic activity over later in the day. Videos showed hikers fleeing or taking photos amid the eruption, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing tourist safety at this popular destination. Monitoring continues as authorities urge caution, though no injuries or deaths have been reported.