The recent eruption of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, has plunged residents and tourists on the island of Sicily into a state of chaos and panic. Photographs have captured the dramatic impact of this formidable natural event.

Mount Etna, one of Europe’s largest and most active volcanoes, erupted on the Italian island of Sicily on Monday, sending a massive plume of ash and smoke billowing into the sky. Several videos of tourists running for their lives down the side of the mountain have surfaced online.

It’s not uncommon for Mount Etna to experience activity, and there are numerous alert systems and protocols in place when it does. On June 2, the heart of Sicily—Mount Etna—experienced a volcanic eruption that startled tourists,