Etna erupts: Sicily on alert as tourists capture dramatic scenes
More and more photos and recordings from Sicily are appearing online. This is because Etna has made itself known and showcased a spectacular eruption of lava and ash.
2:48 PM EDT, July 5, 2024
Due to the lava eruptions, the Sicily Civil Protection Department has raised the alert level in the area from green to yellow. This decision was made for the safety of residents and the many tourists currently on Sicily.
Selfie with the volcano in the background
Local authorities have advised residents to avoid affected areas and stay informed about the situation's development. Tourists in the region should exercise particular caution and follow the issued recommendations.
As experts note, the volcano remains in a state of heightened instability. Therefore, residents on the island are advised to stay updated on safety information and meticulously follow the instructions issued by local civil protection authorities.
In a video published by BBC, you can see and hear the highest active volcano in Europe spewing lava from one of its largest craters. "Mount Etna spits lava into the night sky," reads the caption under the video.
Tourists are indeed plentiful at the site, many of them taking organized excursions near the volcano. Now that Etna is spitting lava, they are especially eager to take selfies with it in the background.
Not only Etna
Etna is not the only volcano in Italy that has recently become active. On July 3, the Stromboli volcano shot a fountain of lava into the air, causing part of the crater to collapse into the sea.
According to the Global Volcanism Program, run by the Smithsonian Institution, there are 14 volcanoes in Italy. Stromboli is one of the most active in the world. It is located on the island of the same name.
