by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, erupted violently on Monday, sending massive plumes of ash, gas, and rock into the Sicilian sky. The eruption, which began around 11:24 a.m. local time (0924 GMT), triggered panic among hikers and tourists who scrambled down the mountain for safety as volcanic debris filled the air.
According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the eruption likely began after part of the volcano’s southeastern crater collapsed, triggering a powerful pyroclastic flow—a dangerous surge of hot gas, ash, and volcanic rock.
Infrared footage and surveillance cameras captured streams of molten lava cascading down Etna’s slopes, while INGV reported “almost continuous explosions of increasing intensity” throughout the day. By midday, the agency confirmed the explosive activity had transitioned into a full lava fountain.
The towering cloud of ash, estimated to have reached over 6.5 kilometers (more than four miles) into the atmosphere, prompted a red alert for aviation authorities. Despite the dramatic eruption, nearby Catania airport remained operational, and no immediate threat was reported to local residents—many of whom are familiar with Etna’s frequent activity.
Mount Etna, located at the intersection of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, has one of the longest recorded histories of volcanic activity. Rising approximately 11,000 feet above sea level, it frequently experiences “Strombolian” eruptions, a term used to describe relatively low-level volcanic explosions.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, a mysterious website called redenvelope.club, which had been counting down since at least May 23 with the phrase “Most envelopes deliver messages. This envelope delivers destinies,” reached zero at 3:00 p.m. on May 29. The site’s purpose remains unknown.
