Italy’s Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, has erupted, sending lava and ash into the sky. The eruption occurred on June 2, 2025, at around 3:50 AM local time, with volcanic tremors detected around midnight. The volcano’s Southeast Crater, also known as Bocca Nuova, was the source of the eruption, producing intense Strombolian explosions and a plume of ash that reached 6,400 meters high.
The eruption triggered panic among tourists, who were seen fleeing the mountain as a thick cloud of ash loomed behind them. According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the eruptions were nearly continuous, with high levels of volcanic tremor signaling ongoing activity.
The volcano’s activity has been escalating, with near-continuous eruptions observed since Monday morning. The eruption has also produced pyroclastic flows, sweeping down the mountain and prompting safety measures.