Italian television presenter Diletta Leotta has drawn sharp criticism after posting Instagram photos and videos that appear to show her posing in fashionable attire close to an active lava flow on Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, currently erupting on Sicily.
Social media users accused Leotta of reckless behaviour and questioned whether she had proper authorization to approach the eruption zone, citing local access restrictions imposed by the mayor of Sant'Alfio. Videos accompanying the post, however, show a greater distance between Leotta and the lava than the still photographs suggest, indicating the proximity was partly a matter of perspective. Leotta's management said the excursion was conducted with a specialist mountain guide.
Authorities have urged caution as the ongoing eruption continues to attract large numbers of onlookers to the volcano's slopes.