Mount Etna Erupts: Tourists Flee as Volcano Unleashes Spectacle

Mount Etna's Surprise Eruption Sends Tourists Fleeing On June 3, 2025, Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, unleashed a spectacular eruption in Sicily, Italy. A massive plume of ash, gas, and scorching rock shot six kilometers into the sky, catching tourists completely off guard. Videos circulating online show groups of people quickly descending the mountain's slopes as the eruption unfolded. "Tourists were seen running down the slopes of Mount Etna, uncomfortably close to its biggest eruption since 2014," reported 7NEWS Australia. Authorities responded swiftly, issuing a brief Code Red alert for aircraft to ensure safety. However, the alert was downgraded shortly after as the eruption's effects remained confined to the immediate vicinity, posing no threat to nearby towns. Experts have linked the eruption to the collapse of a flank of the south-east crater, following weeks of seismic activity. Despite its dramatic display, Mount Etna, active for at least 2.5 million years, continues to draw over a million visitors annually.