Mount Etna Erupts in Spectacular Display, Prompting Code Red Alert

Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, erupted Monday, sending ash plumes four miles into the sky and prompting a “code red” alert. Tourists on the volcano in Sicily scrambled for safety as smoke and ash blanketed the region. The eruption, the 14th this year, was caused by the collapse of part of the southeast crater, leading to hot lava flows.
While the lava currently poses no immediate danger to populated areas, tremors were felt in nearby towns. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported the summit was closed to tourists as a precaution. The president of Sicily, Renato Schifani, described the event as “a phenomenon we are following with extreme caution.”
The eruption disrupted air quality in the region, though Catania Airport maintained normal operations. Footage shared on social media showed visitors fleeing as lava overflowed. Mount Etna, standing at nearly 11,000 feet, remains a major tourist attraction despite its active status.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring public safety while managing the volcano’s unpredictable activity.

Published: 6/3/2025