Mount Etna eruption: Watch viral videos capturing moment of panic as tourists try to escape falling ash from volcano
Italy's Mount Etna erupted violently on Monday, sending ash, gas, and rocks high into the sky while lava flowed down its slopes. Tourists near the summit were seen running for safety as loud explosions echoed up to 50 km away, according to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory. The eruption, which began overnight, is said to be the most powerful since 2014.
Tourists escape unhurt as panic spreads
Viral videos on Twitter showed tourists running downhill in panic as the volcano spewed ash and rock fragments into the air. In several clips, thick clouds of dark ash were seen rapidly spreading across the sky while frightened visitors tried to flee. Some were heard shouting as the sound of explosions rumbled in the background.
A local tour company confirmed that about 40 visitors were near the southeast crater at the time of the eruption.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa)
'Mt Etna erupting during our tour – all safe but it was scary!' wrote one tourist on X (formerly Twitter), posting footage of the eruption in real time.
No injuries or casualties have been reported.
Live Events
MORE STORIES FOR YOU
✕
«
Back to recommendation stories
I don't want to see these stories because
They are not relevant to me
They disrupt the reading flow
Others
SUBMIT
Eruption caused partial crater collapse
The eruption has been classified as a pyroclastic event. Reports said a part of the northern flank of the southeast crater collapsed, releasing fast-moving gases, volcanic ash, and rock fragments down the slopes. Authorities said the lava remained within natural containment areas, and no evacuations were needed.
— EdgeE50124 (@EdgeE50124)
Authorities respond, airports affected
Sicily's regional president, Renato Schifani, said emergency plans were in place. 'There is no immediate threat to residents, and emergency protocols remain in place,' he said.
— BritFirst (@BritFirst)
The Sicilian Civil Protection Agency issued a Volcanic Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA), asking aircraft to avoid the affected zone. Airports in Catania and Palermo continued operations, though some flights were delayed or diverted for safety.
Volcano remains under observation
Mount Etna, located on Sicily's eastern coast, is one of the world's most studied volcanoes and Europe's most active stratovolcano. It draws over 1.5 million tourists every year.
Experts said the volcano had shown increased seismic activity and gas emissions in recent weeks. Volcanologists continue to monitor it for further signs of activity. Authorities have advised tourists not to hike near the summit until further notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train service to start operations from Saturday
The Vande Bharat train service between Katra and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir will start commercial operations from June 7, the Northern Railway said on Thursday. The train will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation ( IRCTC ) platform will start reflecting these trains for prospective passengers to book tickets after the inauguration, an official said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký According to Northern Railway, two Vande Bharat train sets will make four trips during the day between Katra and Srinagar. "It has two travelling classes Chair Car (CC) and Executive Class (EC) with tickets costing Rs 715 and Rs 1,320 respectively," an official from the Northern Railway said. Live Events The first train will commence from Katra at 8:10 am and reach Srinagar at 11:08 am. The same train will return in the afternoon from Srinagar at 2 PM and reach Katra at 4:58 pm. This train service will not be available on Tuesday. Another train will start from Katra at 2:55 pm and reach Srinagar at 5:53 pm. The same train will return from Srinagar the next day at 8 am. This service will not operate on Wednesday. "During its approximately 3-hour long journey, as of now the trains will only stop at Banihal but later on other stoppages will also be decided," an official said.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
The strengths of air zodiac signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
In astrology, the zodiac is divided into four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Each element includes three zodiac signs, and those belonging to the air element—Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius—share distinct strengths and qualities. Let's take a closer look at what makes these air signs unique and how their traits influence their personalities and interactions. Gemini Geminis are known for their intellect, curiosity, and adaptability. Ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, they excel at expressing themselves clearly both in conversation and writing. Naturally curious, Geminis love to learn and explore new ideas. One of their greatest strengths is their versatility. They think quickly and can adjust easily to changing situations, thriving in a variety of environments—from professional settings to creative fields. Geminis also have a sharp wit and natural charm, making it easy for them to connect with others. Their sociable nature and love for engaging conversations help them build strong relationships and work well within teams. Libra Libras are recognized for their diplomacy, fairness, and ability to see multiple perspectives. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty, Libras are peacemakers who work to create harmony in both relationships and their surroundings. A key strength of Libras is their appreciation for beauty in all forms—whether in art, music, or human connections. They seek balance and harmony in their interactions, always aiming for peaceful resolutions. Libras also have a strong sense of justice and are passionate about fairness. Their ability to mediate and negotiate makes them excellent at resolving conflicts and advocating for what they believe is right. Aquarius Aquarians are known for their independence, originality, and humanitarian spirit. Ruled by Uranus, the planet of innovation and change, Aquarians are forward-thinkers who constantly seek new ways to improve the world. Creativity and originality are among Aquarius's greatest strengths. They bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions, often thinking outside the box. Aquarians are deeply compassionate and driven by a desire to make a positive impact. Their dedication to social justice and helping others often positions them as natural leaders and advocates for meaningful change. In summary, the air signs—Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius—stand out for their intellect, social skills, and visionary qualities. Whether they are thriving in corporate environments, engaging in creative pursuits, or championing social causes, air signs bring a unique perspective and make a meaningful difference wherever they go. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Trump travel ban: Why did he spare Pakistan?
US President Donald Trump has imposed a travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, citing national security risks, but Pakistan which openly hosts and celebrates US-designated terror groups is missing from the list. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson posted on X: "President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm." In March, the Trump administration was considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries including Pakistan, as per an internal memo seen by Reuters. During his first term, Trump had taken a very hard stance against Pakistan for its sponsorship of terror. What moved Trump's hand in a short period of time? Also Read: US imposes entry ban on 12 nations, adds restrictions on 7 others Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo From Trump 1.0 to Trump 2.0: The change of heart During his first term as the US president, Donald Trump's first tweet of 2018 was on Pakistan: "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" he posted on X, then called Twitter, on January 1, 2018. In August that year, the US military cancelled $300 million in aid to Pakistan, accusing it of not doing enough to root out militants from its border region with Afghanistan. Another $500 million were stripped by Congress from Pakistan earlier to bring the total withheld to $800 million. In November 2018, Trump accused Pakistan of helping to hide Osama bin Laden, stating, "But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy, everybody in Pakistan knew he was there" . Consequently, the US suspended a significant portion of its military aid to Pakistan. Live Events In April 2019, the Trump administration imposed visa sanctions on Pakistan under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This US law mandates that if a country refuses or unreasonably delays accepting the return of its nationals who have been ordered deported from the United States, the US government may impose sanctions, including visa restrictions on certain categories of that country's citizens. Also Read: Terror hub Pakistan not included: Brahma Chellaney hints at US' Deep State's anti-India stance The sanctions were targeted visa restrictions, initially applied to certain Pakistani officials and government representatives. The State Department, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), began denying or delaying visa issuance to these individuals. The move was designed to be escalatory, signaling that broader visa restrictions could follow if Pakistan did not take corrective action. This was a rare use of Section 243(d). Prior to Pakistan, only a handful of countries had faced such penalties (including Guinea, Cambodia, and Eritrea). However despite tensions, Trump also sought to reset relations with Pakistan. In July 2019, then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the US, where Trump called for strengthening trade ties and offered to mediate the Kashmir dispute, a proposal India rejected. What explains Trump's new love for Pakistan? In March this year, Pakistan was part of the sweeping travel restrictions planned by the Trump administration for the citizens of dozens of countries. However, a US official had told Reuters at that time that there could be changes on the list and that it was yet to be approved by the administration. One change that has happened is Pakistan has been dropped from the list. The action is not inconsistent with Trump's recent statements on Pakistan. In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump spoke glowingly about Pakistan: "They are brilliant people and make incredible products." Trump has offered unqualified praise for Pakistan several times after Operation Sindoor. He claimed he intervened during the India-Pakistan conflict and convinced both the countries to reach what Trump claimed to be ceasefire. India has contested this interpretation. It has said it just halted military action and didn't agree to any ceasefire with Pakistan. It has also said the halt in India's Operation Sindoor came at Pakistan's request and not due to Trump's intervention. Trump suggested he used trade as a negotiating tool to force India into a ceasefire. The ministry of external affairs said the issue of trade did not come up during any talks with the US and "it was the force of Indian arms that compelled Pakistan to seek ceasefire". Clearly, Trump chose to support Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin, writing in the Washington Examiner, said that by bragging about how he could leverage trade to stop fighting, Trump drew moral equivalence between terror-sponsoring Pakistan and terror-victim India. Why is Trump ignoring Pakistan's terror project against India and stepping in to save it? Many would think Trump, who sees himself as the greatest deal maker, has been bought by Pakistan which is 'investing' in the Trump family to reap geopolitical dividends, as several recent reports suggest. Trump's change of heart on Pakistan after Operation Sindoor -- ignoring its terror activities, praising it, and offering to mediate on Kashmir -- could be connected to a recent deal between Pakistan's Crypto Council and World Liberty Financial (WLF), a cryptocurrency venture in which Trump's family has 60% stake. WLF sent its heavy guns, including Zachary Witkoff, son of Trump's golf buddy Steve, to Islamabad where they were feted by Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, and more crucially, army chief General Asim Munir, who just days later 'cleared' the mass killing in Pahalgam of tourists who were segregated on the basis of their faith, TOI had reported. WLF's stakeholders include Trump's two sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr, who, along with their brother-in law Jared Kushner, have been scouring different parts of the world for lucrative business deals and have attracted allegations of leveraging their links to the White House. There are other deals that would have mellowed Trump towards Pakistan. TOI reported that Gentry Beach, a hunting buddy and college friend of Donald Trump Jr, the US President's son, visited Pakistan in January and came back to brief Trump Sr and his close aides at Mar-a-Lago about the 'amazing place called Pakistan' and a potential to cut deals worth billions of dollars in explorations of rare earth minerals, oil & gas, and real estate. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted him twice, first in Islamabad in January in the presence of his senior cabinet colleagues, including the ministers for finance and foreign affairs, and again in Dubai on February 11, on the sidelines of the summit of world govts. Beach was an exceptionally unknown face among hosts of foreign dignitaries and heads of state Sharif met. While in Pakistan, Beach noted the Islamic country had rare earth reserves of more than $50 trillion Pakistan has often tried to please the US by handing over terrorists that it had been using to achieve its own goals actually. Early in March, the US arrested in Afghanistan an ISIS-K operative involved in the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing that killed 13 Marines. Trump was quick to thank Pakistan for its help in nabbing the high-value fugitive from the Pak-Afghan border. "I want to thank the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster," he told the US Congress. TOI reported that what was brushed under the carpet was an open secret in intelligence circles -- the operative, Sharifullah, had been in Pakistan spy agency ISI's custody for over a year. ISI ran multiple operations using his network and ultimately handed him over to the CIA at the right time - when the regime changed in Washington. (With TOI inputs)
