Tourists Flee in Panic as Mount Etna Erupts Unexpectedly During Holiday Hike

Lava fountains and ash plumes send visitors and guides scrambling for safety from Europe’s most active volcano.

Tourists and guides flee in panic as Mount Etna erupts without warning / Image Credit: Instagram

On June 2, 2025, Mount Etna, one of Europe’s most active volcanoes located in eastern Sicily, burst into life mid-tourist season, sending a terrifying spectacle of ash, lava, and smoke across the sky. Tourists and guides scrambled down the slopes in dramatic scenes captured in real-time, while seismic tremors intensified as powerful strombolian explosions erupted from the southeast crater.

Ash columns soared nearly four miles (6.5 kilometers) into the atmosphere and drifted northwest toward Catania. Volcanic lightning lit up the sky in flashes as lava fountains erupted, triggering a Code Red warning for aircraft. Although Catania and Palermo airports remained open, some flights were delayed due to the ash cloud.

The eruption, occurring during Italy’s busy Festa della Repubblica holiday, marked the most significant volcanic outburst since 2014. Despite warnings, several hikers ignored restrictions and ascended near the summit, only to be caught off guard when the southeast crater collapsed into a magma chamber, unleashing torrents of pyroclastic material and ash.

Miraculously, there were no serious injuries reported. Authorities from the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology confirmed a surge in seismic activity leading up to the eruption, followed by nearly continuous volcanic bursts. Emergency teams swiftly evacuated tourists to safer vantage points, ensuring everyone made it down the slopes safely.

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Local authorities remain on high alert as volcanic fumes and ash drift toward populated areas. Health advisories urge residents and visitors to avoid prolonged exposure to the ash. Meanwhile, travelers impacted by flight disruptions may qualify for compensation under European air travel regulations.

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As part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Etna continues to be monitored closely to safeguard nearby communities and tourists. While none were harmed, the eruption served as a dramatic reminder that the volcano remains a potent and unpredictable force of nature—a majestic yet fearsome landmark of Sicily.