Mount Etna eruption sends lava down slopes, captured by drone

Mount Etna on Sicily erupted on Tuesday, spewing bright orange lava down the volcano’s flanks. Drone footage and ground‑level photographs captured the molten flow as it streamed over the crater’s rim, creating a vivid display of incandescent rivers against the dark volcanic terrain. The eruption was detected by the regional civil protection agency, which reported that the lava fountains reached heights of up to 200 metres before descending the slopes.

Scientists from the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia said the activity is consistent with Etna’s typical pattern of frequent, short‑lived eruptions and that monitoring will continue throughout the night. No immediate evacuations were ordered, and nearby communities reported no damage or injuries. Authorities will maintain surveillance of the lava fronts and air quality, while the newly acquired aerial imagery will be used to improve understanding of the volcano’s behavior and to refine future hazard assessments.