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.

A massive eruption at Mt. Etna forced tourists to flee the volcano on Monday after a plume of high temperature gases, ash and rock “several kilometers high” billowed into the air above them, Italian authorities said.