Tourists warned to stay away from Mount Etna lava

In a concerning development at Mount Etna, mountain rescuers issued urgent warnings about tourists recklessly approaching active lava flows. The volcano, which began its latest eruption on February 11 from the 'Bocca Nuova' crater, has attracted thousands of visitors despite serious safety risks.

Local authorities report tourists wearing inadequate protective gear have sustained injuries while attempting to get close to the lava. The situation has become particularly problematic as visitors block narrow streets with parked cars, preventing emergency services from reaching those in need.

Commander of the soccorso alpino guardia di finanza alpine for nicolosi, Marshal Paolo Bernardini, said: "We are here, this is our territory, with a double role, that of rescuers because in recent days there has been a large influx of tourists attracted by this lava flow which, rightly, is beautiful but at the same time many people have had problems, some have hurt themselves, some have fallen while being around here."

Recent incidents include eight people, including two minors, getting lost during an excursion, and a 48-year-old man suffering a fractured foot.

Despite mayors ordering visitors to maintain a 500-meter distance from the lava flows, these directives have been largely ignored. Social media platforms are flooded with videos showing tourists dangerously close to the volcanic activity.

The 3,300-meter volcano, overlooking Catania, continues to exhibit explosive activity and ash emissions, affecting air traffic and nearby areas. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) maintains close monitoring of the situation.

This incident adds to Italy's growing concerns with overtourism, following similar challenges at other locations such as the Roccaraso ski resort, where authorities recently struggled with an overwhelming influx of visitors driven by social media influence and budget travel options.