Tourists Flee In Panic As Mount Etna Erupts With Ash, Lava And Superheated Gases

Tourists were seen running for safety as Italy’s Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active and closely monitored volcanoes, erupted violently on Monday, sending a towering column of ash, gas, and rocks into the sky while lava streamed down its slopes, reports showed.

The dramatic eruption, which began overnight, was the most powerful since 2014, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory. Loud explosions were heard as far as 40 to 50 kilometres away in towns such as Catania and Taormina, sparking widespread concern and drawing the attention of both tourists and locals, reports said.

Videos circulating on social media captured thick plumes of dark ash clouding the sky, as panicked tourists were filmed descending the mountain, escaping the volcano's sudden pyroclastic activity. A local tour company confirmed that around 40 visitors were near the southeast crater at the time of the eruption. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.

“Mt Etna erupting during our tour – all safe but it was scary!” wrote one tourist on X (formerly Twitter), sharing footage of the eruption in real time.

The eruption was classified as a pyroclastic event, involving a partial collapse of the northern flank of the southeast crater. This collapse unleashed a fast-moving column of lethal gases, volcanic ash, and rock fragments, rapidly cascading down the volcano’s slopes. Despite the eruption’s intensity, authorities confirmed that the lava flow remained within natural containment zones, and no nearby towns were evacuated.

Sicily’s regional president, Renato Schifani, stated that while the eruption caused alarm, it was effectively contained. “There is no immediate threat to residents, and emergency protocols remain in place,” he said.

In response to the ash cloud generated by the blast, the Sicilian Civil Protection Agency issued a Volcanic Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA), advising aircraft to avoid the region. While the airports in Catania and Palermo stayed operational, several flights had to be diverted or delayed due to safety concerns.

Mount Etna is Europe’s most active stratovolcano and among the most studied in the world. Located on the eastern coast of Sicily, the volcano attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually, drawn to its unique geological activity and historic significance.

Volcanologists have been monitoring Mount Etna’s rising activity in recent weeks, noting increased seismic tremors and gas emissions. Experts say the eruption is a reminder of the volcano’s unpredictable and formidable nature, and they continue to observe it for signs of further escalation.

Authorities have urged tourists to stay informed through official channels and avoid hiking near the summit until further notice.