Drone footage captures Etna cable car operating above volcanic landscape

Euronews this week released drone footage showing the Mount Etna cable car carrying visitors above the Sicilian volcano's rugged slopes, with engineers working to manage the risks of eruptions, volcanic gases, and extreme weather conditions.

The video, shot from above, captures the cable car's path as it ascends the mountain from the Sapienza Refuge at around 1,900 metres, climbing toward the summit area where the volcano frequently vents ash and lava. According to the report, the cable car operates year-round but requires constant monitoring: volcanic tremors can destabilise the cables, sulphur dioxide emissions can corrode equipment, and sudden ash clouds can reduce visibility. Engineers regularly inspect the system and have developed protocols to shut down operations when seismic activity increases beyond a threshold.