Etna Erupts: Tourists Flee as Volcano Spews Ash, Lava

Mount Etna's Eruption Prompts Red Alert in Sicily On June 1st, 2025, Mount Etna, an active volcano in Sicily, Italy, erupted, sending plumes of ash and smoke into the sky. The eruption prompted the Italian authorities to raise the aviation alert to the highest level, red, due to the significant ash cloud. "It was quite frightening," said Aurelien Pouzin, a French tourist who witnessed the eruption and filmed the video that went viral on X. Pouzin's footage shows a group of tourists quickly evacuating the area as the eruption intensified. Despite the dramatic visuals, the eruption was largely contained to the summit, far from populated areas. The small lava overflow was limited to the southern crater. Catania Airport, located relatively close to the volcano, remained operational. The event serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of constant monitoring of active volcanoes.