A week of spectacular lava sprays on Sicily’s snow-capped Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanos, has drawn thousands of people wanting to see the eruption. But the sudden influx of sightseers has become a safety risk, according to Salvo Cocina, head of Sicily’s regional Civil Protection agency. On Monday eight people who were attempting to hike up the mountain without a guide were lost for several hours before rescuers located them, Cocina said. On Sunday, a 48-year-old man fractured his foot after falling on ice, he said. He added the constant presence of rescue workers, including 4×4 ambulances and other off-road vehicles, is important for those who work on the volcano and for the guides who are authorized to take people up the mountain. “Blocking them has created a dangerous situation for everyone,” he said. The current eruptive phase started February 11, according to the country’s National…
