
Etna Eruption: Tourists Flee as Volcano Spews Ash and Lava
Mount Etna's Eruption Sends Tourists Fleeing A powerful eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, early Monday morning sent a plume of ash and smoke billowing more than 5,000 meters into the air. The eruption, captured on video by tourists and news outlets, showed dramatic pyroclastic flows and lava cascading down the volcano's slopes. According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), part of the southeast crater collapsed, triggering the eruption. "The eruption was sudden and intense," stated a volcanologist from INGV. While initial reports indicated no immediate danger to nearby towns, the sight of the eruption caused widespread panic and prompted numerous tourists to evacuate the area. One tourist described the scene as "terrifying but awe-inspiring." Despite the intensity of the event, the INGV continues to monitor the situation and assures the public that the situation is under control. The eruption serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, and the importance of respecting its forces.