Powerful Eruption of Mount Etna Forces Tourists to Flee as Ash Cloud Covers Sky

On Monday, a powerful eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily forced dozens of tourists to evacuate as a massive column of hot gases, volcanic ash, and rocks rose several kilometers above the volcano. Italian authorities reported that around 40 hikers were on the mountain during the eruption, which was captured in videos showing tourists hurriedly descending the slopes to escape the ash cloud. Giuseppe Penfalo, a guide from the Go Etna tour company, described the event as sudden and intense, noting they were just steps away from the ash plume but were fortunate to have an experienced guide.

The Sicilian Civil Protection Agency stated that about a dozen tour companies operate on the mountain at any given time. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology confirmed that all tourists present during the eruption were safely evacuated. By evening, volcanic activity had significantly decreased, with lava flows cooling and only sporadic ash emissions near the summit.

Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes attracting approximately 1.5 million visitors annually, experienced its strongest eruption since 2014. Renato Schifani, President of the Sicily region, assured that there is currently no danger to the population but urged tourists to avoid the summit area until further notice due to the risk of renewed activity. Tour guide Alessio Zucco described the eruption as a "sudden and powerful explosion," which, although dramatic, was relatively brief.

Initial observations indicated a partial collapse of the northern wall of the volcano's southeast crater. Authorities do not expect ash to reach the nearby city of Catania, and airports in Catania and Palermo remain operational, though some flights destined for Catania were redirected to Palermo. Roads leading to the volcano have been closed to prevent visitors from approaching the eruption zone and to facilitate emergency response efforts.