Tourists rush to Mount Etna as it erupts, alarming Italian guides

AI Summary

Mount Etna erupted in Italy with lava flowing down its slopes, attracting numerous tourists despite local guides' concerns. The eruption forced the closure of Catania airport, a vital gateway for visitors to Sicily, while tour companies reported a surge in demand for nighttime volcano hikes.

Spectacular images of lava flowing down the slopes of an erupting Mount Etna have drawn flocks of tourists to the Italian volcano – to the worry of local guides. The tallest active volcano in Europe, Etna has been spewing ash and lava for days, forcing the closure of the nearby Catania airport, a key gateway for tourists visiting the island of Sicily. Companies that organise nighttime hikes allowing participants to watch the eruption up close say they have been flooded with calls. “They all want...