Mount Etna Erupts: Tourists Flee as Volcano Spews Ash

Mount Etna's Eruption Sends Tourists Scurrying On Monday, Europe's largest active volcano, Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, erupted in a spectacular display of ash, gas, and rock. The eruption, which began around 11:24 am local time, sent a massive grey cloud billowing into the sky. Video footage shows tourists quickly evacuating the area as the eruption intensified. "Tourists were sent scurrying after Sicily's Mount Etna erupted on Monday." - The Advertiser Despite the dramatic visuals, authorities from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported no immediate danger to the population. They explained that the eruption was caused by the collapse of material from the northern flank of the Southeast Crater, resulting in a pyroclastic flow which remained contained within a natural barrier. "Lava flows from the eruption didn't pass the natural containment area." - INGV Mount Etna is known for its frequent eruptions, with documented activity dating back to 1500 BC. This latest eruption serves as a reminder of the volcano's powerful and unpredictable nature, while also highlighting the preparedness of local authorities in managing such events.