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, whose stunning peak rises 11,014 feet tall and slopes toward the Ionian Sea, is a popular attraction for both hikers and tourists. Video footage obtained by CNN shows a tour group running downhill away from the explosion on June 2; Italian officials have confirmed that all hikers were evacuated safely.

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,