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Europe’s most active volcano, Mount Etna, erupted early this morning, sending a massive plume of ash and smoke several kilometers into the sky and prompting tourists to flee the popular World Heritage site. The eruption, which began around 3:50 a.m. local time (2:50 a.m. BST), followed volcanic tremors that started around midnight, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).
The dramatic event was triggered by a partial collapse of the southeast crater’s northern flank, resulting in a pyroclastic flow—an avalanche of hot rock, ash, and gas—and spectacular lava flows. The INGV reported that the eruptive cloud reached an altitude of approximately 6,400 meters (21,000 feet), creating a towering gray column visible from nearby towns and cities, including Catania and Messina. Social media was flooded with videos and photos capturing the ominous ash cloud and tourists running down the volcano’s slopes to safety.
“It was terrifying,” said Jamie Boone, an American tourist from Washington, D.C., who was hiking with her husband when the eruption began. “Our guide told us there was no danger at first, but then the explosion got louder, and we were told to run. The ash cloud was enormous.” Dozens of holidaymakers were seen scrambling along the volcano’s paths, some stopping to photograph the fiery spectacle despite the danger.
The INGV classified the event as a Strombolian eruption, characterized by moderate explosions of increasing intensity, with a small amount of lava and fire continuing to flow by early afternoon. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse issued a brief “code red” aviation warning due to the ash plume, which posed a potential risk to aircraft, but this was later downgraded to orange. No immediate disruptions to flights at Catania airport were reported, though an elevated alert level remains in place.
Local authorities, including Sicily’s regional president, emphasized that the eruption poses no immediate danger to the population. The pyroclastic flow was contained within the Valle del Leone, not reaching populated areas. “We are monitoring the situation with extreme caution,” said a regional official. Ash fallout has begun settling on nearby towns, including Zafferana Etnea, covering buildings and roads in a layer of volcanic dust, a familiar occurrence for residents accustomed to Etna’s frequent activity.
Mount Etna, standing at 3,400 meters (11,165 feet), is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with eruptions occurring almost annually. This event marks the 14th eruptive phase in recent months, following significant activity in February, April, and May 2025. While the volcano’s outbursts rarely cause significant damage or injury, a 2017 eruption injured 10 people, including a BBC crew, highlighting the potential risks.
“It’s nothing unusual for Etna,” said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at UCL. “These sorts of eruptions happen every year or two, and while they can be terrifying for tourists, they’re part of the volcano’s normal behavior.”
Despite the dramatic visuals, experts say the eruption is subsiding, with activity calming by mid-afternoon. Etna remains a major tourist draw, with guided tours and independent access allowing visitors to explore its craters, though today’s events underscore the unpredictable nature of this fiery giant. Travelers are advised to check with local authorities and airlines for updates, but Sicily remains safe for tourism.
The eruption has once again highlighted Mount Etna’s raw power and allure, captivating onlookers while reminding all of its untamed presence on the Sicilian landscape.