A river of fire from the depths of the Earth carves its way through the black rocks of a mountain blanketed white with snow. Above, the setting sun tints the clouds red. Fountains of lava that explode from a crater soar hundreds of metres into the air and Etna's roar echoes across the Sicilian sky.
Its recent eruptions have been a breathtaking spectacle, drawing thousands of tourists and unwary daytrippers - many there for a selfie. For some, the outcome was catastrophic. Dozens of people, lacking proper mountain gear, went missing last week and were recovered late at night suffering from hypothermia.
Many sustained injuries, as hundreds of cars, haphazardly parked along the road leading to the lava flows, blocked the streets and prevented rescue services from reaching those in need of assistance.
The authorities, who threatened to report imprudent visitors to the police, have introduced restrictions to keep people out of danger.
"They have turned a volcano into a playground," said Luca Ferlito, commander of the operational unit of Sicily's Guardia Forestale.
"After images of the eruption started circulating on social media, showing people skiing just a few metres from the lava flow moving over the snow, thousands of visitors stormed the mountain. Many of them were completely unequipped.
"We saw all sorts of scenes. People approaching the lava flow in high heels and miniskirts, people in shorts, someone started roasting sausages; others were taking shirtless photos near the lava.
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