Professional guides who lead tourists up Sicily's iconic Mount Etna have launched a strike in protest against stringent new safety regulations imposed by local authorities. The measures were introduced following a fresh round of eruptions at Europe's most active volcano in recent weeks.
Strike Action Halts Tourist Excursions
Authorities in the city of Catania have suspended or heavily restricted excursions to view the volcano's lava flows. This has prompted guides to stage their first walkout in decades, leaving disappointed tourists with severely limited options to witness the natural spectacle up close.
Dozens of guides demonstrated on Wednesday in front of Mount Etna's lava flow gate, arguing the new restrictions are excessive. They contend that the slow-moving lava flows can be viewed safely, as has been standard practice for years.
What the New Safety Rules Entail
The controversial regulations impose significant limitations on guided tours. Excursions are now permitted only until dusk, despite the lava flows being most spectacular after sunset. Groups must also stay at least 200 meters (660 feet) away from the lava front.
Furthermore, a pre-existing rule limiting groups to 10 people is being rigorously enforced, with authorities reportedly using drones for monitoring. In a statement, the guides' regional board said the rules "effectively nullify the role of guides, stripping them of their skills, function, and professional responsibility."
Ongoing Volcanic Activity and Tourist Impact
The latest restrictions were adopted after Mount Etna began a new phase of eruptions on Christmas Eve 2025. Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology confirmed this week that the eruption is ongoing, though the lava fronts are cooling and no longer advancing.
Local authorities reported the most advanced lava front reached 1,360 meters above sea level, travelling approximately 3.4 kilometres before stopping. Volcanologists confirm the flow poses no danger to nearby towns.
The 3,350-meter-tall volcano, a major tourist draw, last saw a major eruption in June 2025, which forced visitors to flee. Guide Dario Teri, 43, who protested on Wednesday, described the current flow as "descending very slowly on an area that is now also flat or semi-flat."
The strike is expected to continue in the coming days as guides seek a compromise with authorities to protect their livelihoods while ensuring visitor safety. Tourist Claudia Mancini, 32, who travelled from Palermo, expressed sympathy for the guides after her tour was cancelled, calling it a situation that "is not making anyone happy."
