{
  "id": 685901,
  "title": "Tourists rush to Mount Etna as Italian volcano erupts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/tourists-rush-to-mount-etna-as-italian-volcano-erupts",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T16:57:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/08/1509987/tourists-rush-mount-etna-italian-volcano-erupts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, has erupted, drawing large crowds of tourists to Sicily. The spectacle of lava flowing down the mountain's slopes has overwhelmed local guides, who are struggling to manage the surge in visitors. Catania airport, a major transportation hub for tourists visiting Sicily, has been forced to close due to the volcanic activity, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights since Saturday. Tourism companies that organize nighttime hikes to view the eruption have received a flood of calls, with some receiving up to 300 requests a day, compared to their usual number on summer days. Local guides, while excited about the tourist interest, warn that the mountain's unstable nature means visitors should always be accompanied by someone experienced in reading the mountain. Unwilling or unable to secure a guide, many tourists climb the mountain on their own, potentially putting themselves at risk. Authorities have issued a yellow alert, indicating frequent eruptions and possible explosions, and the airport operator has announced that arrivals and departures will remain suspended until Thursday afternoon as ash emissions continue to disrupt air traffic.",
  "summary": "ROME: Spectacular images of lava flowing down the slopes of an erupting Mount Etna have drawn flocks of tourists to the Italian volcano – to the worry of local guides.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Tourists rush to Mount Etna as it erupts, alarming Italian guides",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/tourists-rush-to-mount-etna-as-it-erupts-alarming-italian-guides",
        "published": "2026-08-12T17:20:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}