Tourists rush to Mount Etna as Italian volcano erupts

Visitors to Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, have been flocking to the Italian eruption site, raising concerns among local guides. The eruption, which began days ago, has erupted ash and lava, leading to the closure of nearby Catania airport, a major tourist gateway to Sicily. Daniele Perricelli, a local guide with Guide Etna, said the eruption has flooded his company with calls, receiving about 300 requests daily, three times more than usual.

Ernesto Maria Magri, another guide, described it as a "touristic eruption" that attracts many due to its safe observation. Despite frequent eruptions, some locals climb up to see the lava, sometimes in disorderly manners. Unsupervised climbers, Perricelli warned, could be risky as the volcano is unstable. Yesterday, they observed some climbers wearing flip-flops, urging authorities for heightened vigilance.

Social media backlash followed climbers like Italian TV host Diletta Leotta for venturing too close to the lava. However, guides noted that it's possible to approach the flow within a few meters in lower altitude areas where it has cooled down. Italian civil protection has issued a yellow alert for Etna, signaling frequent eruptions and possible explosions.

Ash emissions have caused repeated flight cancellations at Catania airport, with around 12 million passengers transiting through the airport in 2024.