Despite warnings to stay away, hikers on Mount Etna were forced to flee this week after Italy’s most active volcano erupted. Footage from the mountain shared on social media showed tourists scurrying down the slopes as ash rose into the sky.

Videos circulating on social media showed visitors rushing to descend the mountain as volcanic plumes rose overhead.

Tourists and hikers returned to Italy's Mount Etna on Tuesday after the volcano spewed ash and smoke high into the sky a day earlier.