Etna Erupts: Tourists Flee as Ash Cloud Rises 6.5km

Mount Etna's Eruption in Sicily: Tourists Flee as Ash Cloud Reaches 6.5 Kilometers On June 2nd, 2025, Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, erupted in Sicily, Italy. Videos circulating online captured the dramatic moment, showing tourists hastily descending the volcano's slopes as a large plume of ash billowed into the sky. The eruption prompted Italian authorities to issue a warning to airlines, with reports indicating the ash cloud reached a height of approximately 6.5 kilometers. Despite the significant eruption, Catania airport, located near the volcano, remained operational. "It was terrifying," recounted one eyewitness, a tourist from Germany, who shared their experience on social media. "We were hiking when suddenly, the ground started shaking, and we saw this huge cloud of ash erupting from the volcano. We had to run." Experts confirmed that while the eruption was significant, it did not pose an immediate threat to nearby populations. The eruption, believed to have originated from the southeastern crater, was characterized by a powerful release of ash and gas. Mount Etna, known for its frequent activity, has been erupting for approximately 500,000 years. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.