Etna eruption draws tourists, disrupts flights in Sicily

Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, has been erupting for several days, spewing ash and lava and repeatedly disrupting flights at Catania Airport, a major gateway to Sicily.

The ongoing eruption has also attracted a surge of tourists eager to watch the lava flows, particularly during nighttime excursions organized by local tour operators.

Daniele Perricelli, a local guide with Guide Etna, said his group, which normally takes several dozen visitors up the volcano each evening, has recently received about 300 inquiries a day, roughly three times the average level for a summer day.

"Everyone wants to see the lava," Perricelli saying visitors were drawn to the unusual spectacle.

Another local guide, Ernesto Maria Magri, described the eruption as a major tourist attraction, saying its activity could be observed from relatively safe areas. He added that many local residents had also been making their way up the volcano to see the lava, at times causing overcrowding.

The sharp increase in visitors has raised safety concerns. Perricelli said as many as 2,000 people were climbing Etna each evening, leaving some trails severely congested. He also noted that some visitors were inadequately equipped, with some seen wearing flip-flops.

Local guides have urged visitors not to climb the volcano alone, warning that the terrain remains unstable and that conditions can change rapidly. While cooled lava flows at lower elevations can be approached relatively closely, access to higher areas requires greater caution and professional guidance.

Under current regulations, visitors may climb independently to around 2,400 meters above sea level, while those wishing to go higher must be accompanied by a guide. Etna's summit stands at 3,324 meters.

Italy's Civil Protection Department has issued a yellow alert for Etna, the second level in a four-tier warning system. The alert reflects the volcano's ongoing activity and the possibility of further eruptions and explosions.

Volcanic ash has also disrupted air traffic in eastern Sicily. Catania Airport has repeatedly suspended flight operations in recent days, with Italian media reporting that hundreds of flights have been canceled since Saturday.

The airport operator on Wednesday said that arrivals and departures would remain suspended until 4 p.m. local time on Thursday.

Catania International Airport handled around 12 million passengers in 2024 and serves as a key transportation hub for eastern Sicily, one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations.

(With input from AFP)