On Monday June 2, Sicily’s Mount Etna erupted, spewing plumes of ash and lava into the air and sending hikers running for their lives. The volcano, on the east coast of the Italian island of Sicily, is the most active in Europe. While ash emissions and eruptions are a common occurrence at Mount Etna, this is its most powerful blast in four years, according to experts.
So, is it safe to travel right now? What should you do if you have a trip booked? Here’s all the latest travel advice.
What’s the latest with the Mount Etna eruption?
The eruption began at around 3.50am local time, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, with volcanic activity intensifying throughout the morning. A huge cloud of smoke was seen billowing above the town of Catania, and video footage shows tourists fleeing the eruption down the mountain.
The eruption lasted around 10 hours, ending at approximately 4.56pm local time on Monday June 2.
Is it safe to travel to Sicily?
Yes, at the time of writing, it is safe to travel to Sicily. No injuries or casualties have been reported, and as of Tuesday June 3, the eruption has ended.
Are flights to Sicily affected by the Mount Etna eruption?
A red aviation warning was initially issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre Toulouse, but has since been downgraded to orange. A handful of flights were delayed or diverted from nearby Catania Airport on Monday, but flights are currently travelling to and from Sicily as normal.
When was the last time Mount Etna erupted?
As Europe’s most active volcano, strombolian activity, ash emissions and eruptions are a regular occurrence at Mount Etna. The last large eruption was in August 2024, when a volcanic ash cloud caused Catania Airport to close.
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