Numerama
Éruption de l'Etna : c'est quoi, une coulée pyroclastique ?
Le volcan Etna en Sicile a projeté des cendres et de la fumée ce lundi 2 juin 2025. Une coulée pyroclastique a été émise, surprenant les touristes au…
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Etna Erupts: Tourists Flee as Volcano Spews Ash, But No Injuries Reported
Mount Etna's Eruption Causes Panic Among Tourists Mount Etna, an active volcano in Sicily, Italy, erupted on Monday, June 2nd, 2025, sending a large plume of ash into the air and causing a moment of panic among tourists and hikers who were on the mountain at the time. Videos circulating on social media show people running away from a large, rapidly approaching ash cloud. Despite the dramatic visuals, authorities quickly moved to reassure the public. "There is no danger to the population," declared the president of the Sicily region in a statement. Experts from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) corroborated this, stating that the lava flow did not reach any areas frequented by tourists. However, the eruption did prompt a red alert for air traffic. The height of the volcanic cloud was estimated at 6.5 kilometers, according to air traffic control. Despite the alert, Catania Airport, located near the volcano, remained operational. INGV also reported that surveillance cameras captured a pyroclastic flow on the north flank of the southeast crater, likely caused by a collapse. A pyroclastic flow consists of hot volcanic gases, ash, and rocks rushing down the slopes of a volcano. While this presented a hazard, it did not reach populated areas. The incident serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of respecting safety guidelines when visiting active volcanic areas. The quick response from authorities and the confirmation that no one was harmed offer a positive conclusion to what could have been a much more serious event.
