‘Will it be another Pompeii?’: Sicilians laugh off alarm over Mount Etna eruption

Sicilians have shrugged off alarm and nervousness surrounding the eruption of Mount Etna on the Italian island - saying they would be more worried if nothing was happening at all.

The eruption earlier this week featured spectacular displays of gushing lava, with images shared widely on social media and making international news.

While dramatic pictures of the volcanic activity sparked huge concern among some not from the region, Sicilians say it is normal - and they even look forward to it.

Daniele Palumbo, originally from Sicily and now living in London, says it “is always really funny” to see how others react when Etna erupts, and probably more so this time around, as the volcanic activity has been stronger than normal.

He told The Independent friends and colleagues were “absolutely amazed” when they saw images of the eruption. Some were “freaking out”, asking if it would be “another Pompeii” and the whereabouts of his family in Sicily.

“They are all at the balcony taking pictures and videos,” he tells The Independent.

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“For us, it’s kind of normal. I think we would be more worried if all these events didn’t happen.”

“We know this is how the volcano - in some way - puts out all its energy,” Mr Palumbo said. “It helps us to understand that there will not be really strong earthquakes, for example.”

Gaia Caramazza says she has received concerned messages from people - both from Italy and abroad - to ask if she is OK after the eruption.

She told The Independent this felt “weird, because as Sicilians we are used to Mount Etna erupting quite frequently”.

“It is cool to see the international community cares about the explosion, because it is wonderful - it’s a wonderful occasion,” she said.

“Even as Sicilians, even though we are used to it, we are always looking forward to the next explosion and looking out for it.”

Caramazza’s father, Benedetto - who has a farm where he grows oranges right at the foot of Mount Etna - said people “are always admiring” the volcano.

Striking images of the eruption show the sky lit up orange, as Europe’s most active volcano spewed ash.

Social media was flooded with Sicilians sharing images, admiring their views of the explosion.

Meanwhile, those not from the island have joked about this response - saying they would more likely be frightened in the face of a volcanic eruption, rather than relaxed and ready to appreciate the natural beauty.

One Twitter user said they had seen comments on social media about Mount Etna’s eruption from non-Sicilians expressing solidarity, telling residents they will pull through and asking if they were evacuating - which they said made them laugh.

“We need to worry if it doesn’t erupt,” they added. Someone replied saying people “think we are dying”.

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Mr Palumbo said many people do not know about important points about the geography of the island, which is important - as the lava naturally flows into a valley.

He says he wishes he was there to witness the eruption himself. “I think that all my friends are really lucky right now, because I would normally go up to the volcano and try and take the best shot, or see the lava as close as possible,” he tells The Independent.

Some Sicilians have still faced disruption following the eruption, with residents and authorities working to clean up one village near Mount Etna after it spewed lava, ashes and volcanic stones.

"The entire territory of Pedara and all the streets are covered in volcanic ashes and lapillus", or volcanic stones, Alfio Cristaudo, the village’s mayor, said.

As Tuesday’s volcanic activity was largely expected, areas surrounding the crater were secured and there were no reported injuries or deaths.

Additional reporting by Associated Press