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Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Straits Times
Tourists told to heed warnings after huge Mount Etna eruption
Plumes of ash and volcanic steam rise from Mount Etna, as seen from Milo, Italy, on June 2. PHOTO: REUTERS CATANIA, Italy – Tourists have been told to check for warnings before climbing towards the summit of Italy's Mount Etna after an eruption sent hikers scurrying for safety. Video footage from the eruption on June 2 showed dozens of people hurrying down a path as a large plume of ash rose behind them from the volcano on the eastern side of the island of Sicily. Mr Salvo Cocina, head of Sicily's Civil Protection Department, said dozens of hikers ventured on to Etna despite a warning issued early on June 2 after initial signs of increased activity on Europe's largest active volcano. 'There was a big explosion and a crater collapsed, but luckily it fell into a deserted area,' he told Reuters on June 3. 'It's very hard to block access. You can't fence it off,' he added. Mr Cocina said those on the mountain on June 2, who had climbed to a height of some 2,700m, appeared to be properly equipped, and he acknowledged the need to balance safety concerns with the desire of tourists to enjoy the views. Nobody was injured in the June 2 eruption, and the alert for volcanic activity has been downgraded to the more standard 'yellow' level on June 3. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Independent
19-02-2025
- The Independent
‘Careless' tourists swamp Mount Etna following eruption blocking rescue routes
Thousands of tourists have travelled to Mount Etna to see the Sicilian volcano erupt, with local authorities warning that 'careless behaviour' is blocking rescue routes. Since 11 February, hikers, photographers and volcanologists have flocked to see spectacular sprays of lava flow onto the snow from the Bocca Nuova crater – and the influx of volcano visitors is becoming a safety risk. Local authorities warned on Sunday (16 February) that the increase in tourism has blocked rescue routes for emergency vehicles on the volcano. Salvo Cocina, Sicily 's head of regional civil protection, wrote on Facebook that 'wild' parking on 'narrow streets' has stopped the circulation of emergency vehicles, making any rescue attempts 'impossible'. 'With darkness the risk of falls and deepening in snow increases', he said. Alpine Rescue responded to a woman 'totally inadequate for equipment' having a panic attack, and a 48-year-old man suffered a fractured foot following a fall on the ice on Sunday. The following day, eight others 'lost their way' on the volcano and were only located several hours later, with large crowds preventing precautionary 4x4 ambulances from getting through. Mr Cocina said that although the majority of tourists are 'well accompanied by alpine and volcanological guides', it is the 'careless behaviour of unprepared people that create most accidents and calls for help'. The mayors of Adrano, Biancavilla and Belpasso, towns on the volcano's slopes, have banned tourists from approaching the 'dangerous' lava for safety reasons. Videos from day-trippers showing groups just steps from lava streams appear not to have heeded the warning. Municipalities Belpasso, Ragalna and Nicolosi have mobilised traffic patrols to control the flow of cars through the 'already congested' area and ski facilities in Piano Provenzana remain closed. Catania Airport also issued a state of alert to divert flights from the ash clouds on Sunday and Monday. The Sicilian airport shared on X/Twitter: 'As a result of today's volcanic activity, it has been confirmed the closure of the South airspace sector and the interruption of all flight arrivals.' All airport services have since been restored.
The Guardian
18-02-2025
- The Guardian
Thousands of tourists flock to see Etna eruption, blocking rescue services
Thousands of tourists have flocked to witness spectacular eruptions on Mount Etna, blocking streets and preventing rescue services from reaching people in need of assistance, local authorities have said. Sicily's head of regional civil protection, Salvo Cocina, described the tourism of recent days at Etna as 'wild' and 'extremely dangerous,' warning that day-trippers drawn by the exceptional views had parked their cars along narrow streets, impeding rescue vehicles. In a post on Facebook on Sunday night, Cocina said the flow of people had created 'a wild scene with cars crowding the narrow roads, a traffic standstill … and rescue vehicles unable to pass'. He added: 'As darkness falls, the situation becomes extremely dangerous, with rising risks of falls and people sinking into the snow.' His warning, however, appeared to fall on deaf ears. Eight people, including two minors, got lost during an excursion on Monday and were only located several hours later, a development that prompted a call to the fire brigade. On Sunday, a 48-year-old man suffered a fractured foot from a fall and four others had gone missing the previous night. Firefighters were brought in to assist locals and curb the flow of tourists and day-trippers from Sicily and beyond through the overcrowded streets, while mayors of the towns on the volcano's slopes have ordered visitors to stay at least 500 metres from the lava – a directive which has been almost completely ignored. Hundreds of videos featuring day-trippers who reached the area have gone viral over the weekend, showing visitors just centimetres from the snow. One TikTok clip shows dozens of tourists near a lava flow that, slowly descending the snowy slope, has melted the snow to form a stream. 'I've seen many photos and videos of people dangerously close to the front, even skiing,' said Carlo Caputo, mayor of nearby town Belpasso. 'Though visually striking, it exposes them to serious risks, as the lava, interacting with the snow, can instantly vaporise it and, with the thermal energy released, may violently hurl fragments or rocks.' Italy, home to the most Unesco heritage sites in the world, is becoming wearily accustomed to episodes of overtourism. Last month, the mayor of Roccaraso, a popular Italian ski resort, clamped down on day-trippers and even hinted at calling in the army to deal with an unprecedented invasion of tourists after the town was overwhelmed by 260 buses carrying over 10,000 visitors from Naples and the surrounding Campania region, lured by a TikTok star and cheap tickets.
