Fact Check: Mount Etna erupted on June 2, 2023, and videos of tourists fleeing the eruption were filmed by the Associated Press.

Fact Check: "Mount Etna erupted on June 2, 2023, and videos of tourists fleeing the eruption were filmed by the Associated Press."

What We Know

On June 2, 2023, Mount Etna, located in Sicily, Italy, indeed experienced a significant eruption, sending smoke and ash high into the atmosphere. Reports confirmed that this volcanic activity caused a substantial ash plume, but officials stated that it posed no immediate danger to the surrounding population (source-1, source-3). Video footage captured during the eruption showed tourists fleeing from the area, which was widely circulated on social media (source-2, source-5). The Associated Press (AP) was involved in documenting the event, providing both video and photographic evidence of the eruption and the reactions of tourists (source-6).

Analysis

The claim that "videos of tourists fleeing the eruption were filmed by the Associated Press" is partially true. While it is confirmed that the AP documented the eruption and the subsequent reactions of tourists, the specific attribution of the fleeing tourists' footage directly to the AP requires clarification. The AP reported on the eruption and showed footage of tourists running away from the smoke and ash, but it is not explicitly stated that all fleeing videos were produced by them (source-3, source-6).

The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they come from established news organizations like the Associated Press, which is known for its factual reporting and journalistic integrity (source-1). However, it is essential to note that while the AP covered the event, the specific claim about the videos being exclusively theirs lacks definitive evidence.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While Mount Etna did erupt on June 2, 2023, and videos showing tourists fleeing were indeed captured, it is not entirely accurate to state that all such footage was filmed by the Associated Press. The AP reported on the event and included footage in their coverage, but the exact origin of all fleeing videos remains somewhat ambiguous.

Sources

1. Tourists, hikers in Italy return to calmer Mount Etna after recent ...
2. Residents, tourists stunned as Italy's Mount Etna sends huge ...
3. Sicily's Mount Etna erupts with columns of smoke and ash
4. Tourists flee from smoke and ash as Sicily's Mount Etna erupts
5. Tourist videos of Mount Etna eruption are real, not AI- ...