Mount Etna Erupts: Tourists Flee as Ash Plume Explodes

Mount Etna Eruption Sends Tourists Running for Safety Tourists visiting Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, experienced a dramatic turn of events on Monday when a massive ash plume erupted from the volcano. Videos circulating online show a group of tourists scrambling down the mountainside as a large cloud of dark ash billowed into the sky. "It was terrifying," said one tourist interviewed by the Associated Press. "We were just walking along, enjoying the view, when suddenly this huge cloud of ash came out of the volcano. We had to run." The eruption, while visually striking, served as a stark reminder of the power of nature. The video footage captures the suddenness and intensity of the event, highlighting the potential dangers of volcanic activity. Experts from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) continue to monitor the situation. Despite the frightening experience, all tourists involved were reported safe. The incident underscores the importance of safety protocols and awareness when visiting active volcanoes. Mount Etna's eruptions, while relatively frequent, can still pose significant risks to those nearby. The event serves as a reminder to respect the power of nature and to prioritize safety.