Cocina noted that despite a warning issued earlier about increased volcanic activity, numerous hikers ventured onto Etna.

“Spectacular eruptions like those of Etna in Italy and Kilauea in Hawaii this year lead to a surge in tour inquiries,” stated John Seach, an Australian vulcanologist and astrophysicist, who has been organizing volcano tours for 40 years and has visited over 200 volcanoes.

On May 13, Mount Etna erupted with vigorous Strombolian activity, followed by the massive ash and smoke plumes that gained media attention in early June. Source: Anadolu / Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

Eruptions difficult to predict

“Earthquakes triggered by the movement of magma inside the volcano, images of inflation or deflation in the ground and the emission of gases can help forecast potential eruptions but it’s difficult to accurately say exactly when that happens,” she said. 

Mount Etna erupted on Tuesday, which followed an earlier eruption in May. Source: Getty / Fabrizio Villa

Just how popular is volcano tourism?

He said there’s been a 54 per cent increase in bookings since 2023.

Volanco tour booking data provided by Intrepid Travel. International borders were closed in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Australia reopening them in early 2022. Credit: SBS News

What are the risks?

“It was clear the information given to those tourists was inadequate. The island is very remote and the tour involves walking inside an amphitheatre-like crater with no exit. The tourist brochure painted the experience as a volcanic wonderland, making it sound very much like the geothermal areas in Rotorua,” added Cas, who has visited Whakaari many times as a student and researcher.

An advertisement of the tour that ended in the 2019 tragedy at Whakaari (White Island). Credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Cas said the tourists were also not told that a few nights before the tragedy, there was a significant explosive event in which deposits inundated the crater area.

“All reasonable care is taken on tours, but volcanic activity is unpredictable, and no guarantee can be made about safety on an active volcano. A decision to climb an erupting volcano should be based on a risk-benefit analysis,” reads a part of the safety note he provides his tour group members.