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.

A lot of people are trying to get closer to admire this natural phenomenon,” a local mayor warned his community. “But it is extremely dangerous!”