Reader TTS

'I expected sun and Aperol Spritz in Sicily but saw Mount Etna erupt instead'Brits who travelled to Sicily to enjoy the sunshine were left stunned when Mount Etna's eruption transformed

their idyllic poolside surroundings into a gloomy nightmareCommentsTravelAlan Johnson Social News Reporter15:03, 03 Jun 2025Brits holidaying in Sicily have reacted in disbelief to the

eruption of Mount Etna (file) British holidaymakers in Sicily were left gobsmacked after witnessing the dramatic eruption of Mount Etna, with the tallest active volcano in Europe spewing out

vast plumes of smoke yesterday (June 2), causing some tourists to flee in panic.

Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology issued a statement at 11.03am local time, confirming: "Over the past few hours, the activity flagged in the previous statement issued

at 4.14am has carried on with Strombolian explosions of growing intensity that, at the moment, are of strong intensity and nearly continuous." Caught up in the thick of it was holidaymaker

and TikTok user Billi-Jo, who captured the extraordinary event from her hotel, posting a video with the caption: "When you come to Sicily for sun, sea and Aperol Spritz, but get to see Mount

Etna erupt instead!"

‌ The serene setting of her poolside retreat was dramatically transformed as billowing smoke from Etna's eruption cast a shadow over the area, quickly turning the blue skies a murky grey.

‌Content cannot be displayed without consent Meanwhile, travel blogging couple, Hannah and Charlie also experienced their European getaway disrupted by the volcanic activity. Hannah

expressed her shock in a video, saying: "We waited months for this holiday... and Mount Etna said absolutely not! Holy f***ing airballs. Not the VOLCANO going into red warning zone on DAY

ONE."

And in similar fashion to Billi-Jo, she cursed: "Booked sun and spritz, got ash and anxiety." Again, video footage began with poolside relaxation, before clouds of smoke descended on the

pair's accommodation.

Article continues belowContent cannot be displayed without consent Writing in response, one TikTok user commented in solidarity, "Oh man! A bummer and a lifetime experience all in one."

Another commented: "Oh no, that was not on the holiday description!" Whilst a third person admitted: "I'd be crying. Those films have put me right off."

On the aviation front, pilots are now on high alert post-eruption. While the initial satellite feed didn't reveal a volcanic ash cloud, a mix of water vapour and sulphur dioxide was spotted

moving southwest. The rugged nature of volcanic ash poses significant dangers to aircraft. Its hard, abrasive characteristics can erode propellers, attack turbocompressor blades, and scratch

the cockpit windows, lessening the pilots' visibility.

‌ However, a red alert was downgraded to orange three hours after it was first issued - where it currently remains. As such, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has

not released any new travel advice relating to Mount Etna’s eruption.

Despite the dramatic backdrop of an active volcano, Catania Airport remains operational at the base of Mount Etna. The FCDO’s general advice for volcanic eruptions states that you should

follow any guidance and instructions shared with you by local authorities..

Advice reads: "If you are asked to evacuate, do so as soon as possible and take your key documents (for example, passport) and necessary supplies (for example, medication) with you. If you

are not told to evacuate but are in an affected area, you should shelter in place. Close any windows and turn off air conditioning or HVAC systems.

Article continues below "Ensure that you have enough basic supplies (including food, necessary medication and bottled water) given power may be affected and water supplies may be

contaminated. If you cannot get basic supplies to shelter in place, you may need to evacuate. If you go outside, cover your skin and wear a mask or other face covering, as volcanic ash could

irritate your skin and airways."