Spectacular images of lava flowing down the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, have drawn large crowds of tourists to Sicily. The ongoing eruption, which has been spewing ash and lava for several days, has resulted in the continued closure of Catania airport, a vital travel hub for the region. Airport operators confirmed that all arrivals and departures remain suspended until 4:00 pm on Thursday, with hundreds of flights cancelled since Saturday.
Local guides are expressing significant concern as they observe flocks of visitors, some of whom are ill-equipped, attempting to reach the eruption site. Daniele Perricelli, a 41-year-old guide with the group Guide Etna, noted that his team is currently receiving approximately 300 requests per day—triple the volume of a typical summer day. While his group leads a few dozen visitors up the mountain each evening, the overwhelming demand has led many others to venture out. Unwilling or unable to secure a guide, many venture up on their own.
Describing the situation as a "touristic eruption," fellow guide Ernesto Maria Magri noted that the phenomenon attracts many because it can be observed in relative safety. However, the lack of oversight is causing issues. "There are up to 2,000 people climbing up every evening, the footpaths are overcrowded," he said. "Yesterday, we saw some wearing flip-flops," he added, calling on authorities to be more vigilant. Perricelli emphasized that the volcano is unstable and that it is crucial for climbers to be accompanied by experts who can read the mountain's conditions.
Public behavior has also faced scrutiny, with social media users criticizing individuals—including Italian television host Diletta Leotta—for getting too close to glowing lava. Yet, guides said it is possible to come within a few metres of the volcanic flow in lower altitude areas where it has already cooled down, though they caution against reckless behavior. Current regulations permit visitors to climb independently up to 2,400 meters, but professional guides are required for any ascent beyond that point. Italy’s civil protection agency has issued a yellow alert for the volcano, the second level on a four-step scale, indicating frequent eruptions and the potential for explosions.
Companies that organise nighttime hikes allowing participants to watch the eruption up close say they have been flooded with calls.
"They all want to come and see the lava flow, everyone is drawn to this unique beauty," Daniele Perricelli, 41, a local guide, told AFP on Wednesday.
