Etna Nord Linguaglossa Ordinance: Rules for Excursions and Safety
Welcome to the information page dedicated to the safety provisions for excursions on the North side of Mount Etna. Etna is a natural environment of extraordinary beauty but in continuous evolution, which requires the utmost attention and compliance with precise rules to ensure the safety of all visitors.
Below is the full text of Ordinance No. 40, issued by the Municipality of Linguaglossa on July 6, 2024. This official document establishes the binding rules and operational procedures for the safe use of the area, in particular for access to the summit area.
The ordinance defines the reachable altitude limits, the behaviors to be adopted based on the different levels of volcanic alert (F0, F1, F2) communicated by the ETNAS system, and specifies the obligations for guides, tour operators, and hikers. Knowledge and respect of these rules are essential for a safe and unforgettable experience on the highest active volcano in Europe.
MUNICIPALITY OF LINGUAGLOSSA
Metropolitan City of Catania
GENERAL REGISTER OF ORDINANCES
ORDINANCE NO. 40 of 06/07/2024
Subject
OPERATIONAL PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURES FOLLOWING THE RECEPTION OF ALERT MESSAGES FROM THE ETNAS SYSTEM TO BE APPLIED FOR EXCURSIONS USING THE ACCESS ROUTE TO THE SUMMIT CRATERS OF MOUNT ETNA NORTH WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LINGUAGLOSSA.
References
- The "Volcanic risk alert procedures and usage methods for the summit area of Mount Etna" (available on the institutional website of the Sicilian Region at: www.regione.sicilia.it).
- The regional operational procedures following the reception of alert messages from the ETNAS system as per prot. 28490/S.03/DRPC Sicilia of 30/06/2023, which is attached hereto and forms an integral and substantial part thereof.
Considering
- That for the ascent on the NORTH slope of the volcano, the track from Piano Provenzana at an altitude of 1800m a.s.l. to Piano delle Concazze at an altitude of 2800m a.s.l. in the territory of the Municipality of Linguaglossa is used by authorized subjects with authorized off-road vehicles;
- That it is necessary and appropriate to proceed with the most widespread regulation and information possible for hikers and visitors to the volcano.
In view of
- Art. 7 of Legislative Decree No. 1 of January 2, 2018.
- Art. 2 of Law 225/1992;
- Art. 2 of the T.U.L.P.S. (Consolidated Law on Public Security) approved by R.D. No. 773/1931;
- Art. 12 of Law 265/1999;
- Art. 54 of Legislative Decree No. 267/2000.
- The current O.A.EE.LL. (Regulations on the Autonomy of Local Authorities) in the Sicilian Region, with particular reference to Art. 69.
ORDERS
The off-road vehicles used for tourist transport may reach the altitude of 2800m a.s.l. in the area north of the Pizzi Deneri observatory, i.e., immediately outside the area defined as the Yellow Zone by the aforementioned document "Regional operational procedures following the reception of alert messages from the ETNAS system of prot. 28490/S.03/DRPC Sicilia of 30/06/2023";
Upon the transition from F0 to F1, also communicated via Whatsapp groups, which corresponds to the activation of the PRE-ALARM operational phase regarding the use of the summit area and the yellow zone of the volcano, given the possibility of a sudden transition to the F2 alert level corresponding to the ALARM operational phase, all activities taking place in the summit and yellow zones must be suspended. Therefore, upon receipt of the message: the managers of tourist excursion activities, and in particular the guides, must interrupt all activities and ensure the immediate removal of visitors from the restricted area.
In the F1 and F2 states, it is strictly forbidden to access areas above 2800m a.s.l.;
The Alpine and/or Volcanological Guides operating on Mount Etna, and particularly in the area affected by eruptive phenomena, must:
- a) communicate to the Municipal Civil Protection structure any change in activity that could lead to risks for public and private safety;
- b) inform the accompanied persons in advance about the risks involved in a volcanic environment;
- c) implement every useful measure, suggested by their experience and professionalism, to limit the risks for the accompanied persons.
The limitations mentioned in the preceding points do not apply to security and rescue personnel, law enforcement, Civil Protection and Etna Park personnel carrying out service activities in the area, scientific personnel operating at summit altitudes for Civil Protection and study purposes (University and INGV), Alpine and Volcanological Guides, and figures expressly authorized within the CAI (Italian Alpine Club). Access beyond the imposed limits is also permitted to professional journalists and photographers with a professional ID card, if accompanied by legally authorized personnel.
Violators will be reported to the Judicial Authority pursuant to Art. 650 of the Penal Code.
Any provision in conflict with this one is currently suspended until further notice.
The Municipal Police and the Public Force are responsible for the execution of this ordinance.
To transmit this ordinance to the Prefecture of Catania, the municipalities of Castiglione di Sicilia, Piedimonte Etneo, Randazzo, Maletto, and Bronte, to S.O.R.I.S., to the Regional College of Alpine and Volcanological Guides, to the Regional Department of Civil Protection - Volcanic Service, to the Forestry Corps, the Carabinieri Station of Linguaglossa, to C.N.S.A.S. (National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps), and to the Alpine Rescue of the Guardia di Finanza.
The Mayor
Signed LUCA STAGNITTA
