Recently, the eruption of Mount Etna has attracted thousands of tourists eager to witness the spectacular lava flows. However, local authorities have expressed concerns that this sudden influx of visitors poses a significant safety risk. The large number of tourists is putting immense pressure on local transportation and rescue efforts, potentially hindering emergency responses.
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02-22, 2025Salvo Cocina, head of the Civil Protection Department of Sicily, described the recent tourism activity around Mount Etna as "madness" and "careless." He pointed out that tourists are parking their vehicles on narrow streets, obstructing emergency vehicles from reaching those in need of assistance. "As night falls, the situation becomes extremely dangerous, with an increased risk of falls and getting stuck in the snow," Cocina posted on Facebook. He emphasized that "careless behavior by unprepared individuals is certainly the cause of most accidents and calls for help."
On Monday, eight tourists, including two minors, were rescued after getting lost for hours while attempting to hike the mountain without a guide. Although there are many safe hiking trails on the mountain during volcanic eruptions, regulations require that ascents be made with qualified guides. Mayors of towns on the volcano's slopes have ordered tourists to maintain a distance of at least 500 meters from the lava flows. Fabio Mancuso, the mayor of Adrano, used social media to warn tourists to adhere to safety guidelines, stating, "Many people are trying to get close to admire this natural phenomenon, but it is extremely dangerous!" However, these instructions are largely being ignored.
A TikTok video showed dozens of people approaching the lava flow, which was slowly moving down the snow-covered slopes, melting the snow and forming a stream. The mayor of Belpasso, Carlo Caputo, stated, "I have seen many photos and videos of people getting dangerously close to the lava front, even skiing. While visually striking, this puts them at serious risk because the interaction of lava and snow instantly vaporizes the snow and the released thermal energy can violently throw debris or rocks." This highlights the critical need for adhering to safety guidelines in such hazardous environments.
According to the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the current eruptive phase began on February 11th. The eruption originates from the southeastern crater of the volcano, known as Bocca Nuova, meaning "new mouth." Mount Etna is not only the most active stratovolcano in the world but also the highest volcano in Europe, standing at approximately 3350 meters above sea level. On February 13th, NASA shared a Landsat satellite image of Mount Etna during the eruption, showcasing the spectacular sight of "rivers of fire." NASA described the bright red streaks as "rivers of fire," but noted that this is not what the naked eye would see. "The natural color scene is overlaid with infrared signals to differentiate the heat signature of the lava on Etna’s snow-covered slopes," the agency stated.
