Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano, erupted in Sicily, spewing a towering column of gas and ash into the sky. Footage shared online showed tourists scrambling down the mountainside as the eruption intensified. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reported strong strombolian explosions of increasing intensity, though they later confirmed the eruption had ended.
Volcanic tremors began late at night and peaked shortly before 1 a.m. local time. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse initially issued a red aviation warning but later downgraded it to yellow after the ash plume reached an altitude of approximately 6,400 meters.
While the eruption caused panic among visitors, officials stated it posed no widespread danger. Drone footage captured dramatic scenes of the volcanic blast, with billowing smoke visible from miles away—including from the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, 45 kilometers away.
This event marks another episode in Mount Etna’s long history of frequent eruptions, highlighting the ongoing risks for tourists visiting the area. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise caution for those near the volcano.