SICILY, Italy — Mount Etna’s volcanic guides have initiated their first strike in decades following stringent new safety measures imposed by Catania authorities after recent eruptions. The conflict has created turmoil for tourists seeking to witness Europe’s most active volcano’s spectacular lava displays.
The dispute centers on regulations that prohibit excursions after dusk and mandate a 200-meter (660-foot) minimum distance from lava flows. Authorities have intensified enforcement of pre-existing group size limitations, restricting parties to no more than 10 individuals using drone surveillance.
Professional guides assembled Wednesday at the volcano’s lava flow gate, denouncing the restrictions as excessive and professionally damaging. Their regional board issued a statement asserting these measures ‘effectively nullify the role of guides, stripping them of their skills, function, and professional responsibility.’
Volcanologists confirm the current eruption phase, which commenced on Christmas Eve, presents minimal danger to surrounding communities. The advancing lava front reached 1,360 meters (4,460 feet) elevation before stabilizing and entering a cooling phase after traversing approximately 3.4 kilometers (2 miles).
Dario Teri, a 43-year-old member of Sicily’s alpine and volcano guides association, explained: ‘This is a lava flow that is descending very slowly on an area that is now also flat or semi-flat.’
The strike action has left visitors like Claudia Mancini, a 32-year-old tourist from Palermo, disappointed after her planned excursion was canceled. ‘Unfortunately, we got the bad news of the cancelling of all activity,’ Mancini stated, expressing sympathy for the guides’ predicament.
Measuring 3,350 meters (10,990 feet) tall and 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) wide, Mount Etna consistently draws adventure seekers and casual observers alike. While the current eruption continues according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the lava fronts are cooling without further advancement.
Guides anticipate continuing their strike in coming days while seeking compromise solutions that balance tourist safety with professional viability.