ROME: Tourists climbing Sicily’s Mount Etna volcano at night in sneakers and light clothing to get a close-up view of an ongoing eruption may be risking their lives, rescuers warned on Friday.
Europe’s highest and most active volcano erupted in spectacular fashion last week, lighting up the night sky with explosions and bright red molten lava.
“We had a number of people who got lost and could not find their way back because of the fog that suddenly appeared. Spending a night out at these temperatures can be very risky,” Leonardo La Pica, regional president of the Sicilian Alpine Speleological Rescue Service, said on Friday.
Speaking to broadcaster Radio24, La Pica said that the lava flow had reached more accessible areas than usual, at around 1850 meters above sea level.
That has prompted many tourists to venture out at night when the flare is more scenic. But some do not go properly equipped and often get too close to the lava, he said, with the risk of being hit by pieces of rock thrown out by the explosions.
“The ground is impervious, with ice and snow, it is cold and the weather can change abruptly,” La Pica added.
Night-time excursions on Italy’s Etna volcano spark safety concerns
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Night-time excursions on Italy’s Etna volcano spark safety concerns
- Europe’s highest and most active volcano erupted in spectacular fashion last week
- “Spending a night out at these temperatures can be very risky,” La Pica said on Friday
Russia urges UK to disclose what soldier killed in Ukraine was doing, accuses London of wider role
- Britain’s Ministry of Defense said the soldier died in Ukraine while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability
- Zakharova said the British government should not deceive its citizens
MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Britain needed to disclose what a British soldier killed in Ukraine on Tuesday was really doing there, accusing London of helping Kyiv carry out “acts of terrorism.”
Britain’s Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that the soldier, Lance Corporal George Hooley, died in Ukraine while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the frontline.
Zakharova said the British government should not deceive its citizens by claiming that British soldiers sent to Ukraine were mere advisers or instructors, accusing British forces of helping Kyiv “carry out terrorist attacks and extremist tasks” on London’s direct orders.
Zakharova, who said Russia would regard any foreign military contingents in Ukraine as legitimate targets, did not set out evidence to back up her accusations of alleged wider UK involvement.
The British government, one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters, has never confirmed how many service personnel are in Ukraine but the BBC has reported that a small contingent is supporting Ukrainian forces and is providing security to diplomatic staff.
