Etna Eruption Draws Tourists, Alarming Local Guides

Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, has been erupting for days, spewing ash and lava, forcing the closure of Catania airport in Sicily. The spectacular lava flows have attracted thousands of tourists, including unruly locals and climbers in flip-flops, eager to witness the eruption up close. Local guides are concerned about safety and the overwhelming demand. Daniele Perricelli, a 41-year-old guide with Guide Etna, reported receiving about 300 requests daily, three times the average summer rate. His group takes a few dozen visitors up the volcano each evening. Another guide, Ernesto Maria Magri, described it as a 'touristic eruption' that appeals to many because it can be observed in relative safety. The eruption has become a major tourist draw, but guides worry about the risks posed by unprepared visitors.