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Emergency officials plead with tourists to stop rush to take selfies at Eurasia’s highest active volcano

By 0 and 0 and 0
19 March 2021

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People stand on the crater and shoot how volcanic bombs and slag are thrown out of the crater about 60 metres above its edge. Picture: Maxim Fesyunov/ @fesmaks2

The trend is alarming the Russian Emergencies Ministry as tourists ‘in mortal danger’ seek to get close to the historic changes at one of the world’s most famous volcanoes which has an altitude of  4,750 metres (15,584ft)

The images - as shown here - are epic but officials warn that travel companies should stop taking tourists so close to the side eruption, creating a new cone at a height of 2,850 metres (9,350 ft).

‘More and more photos of tourists in front of the erupting volcano have begun to appear on social networks,’ warned the region’s emergencies ministry.

Tourists at Klyuchevskaya Sopka


Tourists at Klyuchevskaya Sopka


Tourists at Klyuchevskaya Sopka

‘In social network footage, people stand on the crater and shoot how volcanic bombs and slag are thrown out of the crater about 60 metres above its edge. Pictures: Andrey Andreev/@andreev_andrey_, Maxim Fesyunov/ @fesmaks2 

‘Rescuers once again remind that a volcanic eruption is an extremely dangerous phenomenon for humans. 

‘The danger is not only the lava flow itself, but also phreatic explosions that can occur when hot magma comes into contact with snow and ice. 

‘In this case, steam-gas emissions with ash, as well as emissions of large lava fragments are possible.

‘It is impossible to predict the place of such an explosion.'

Experts fear that lava flowing under the Erman glacier can lead to cracks at depth causing the frozen structure to ‘collapse’.

The ministry told fun-seekers: ‘Mud flows forming due to the melting of the glacier and snowfields are extremely dangerous for hunters, fishermen and tourists in the area. 

‘These streams pose extreme risks to snowmobilers: you can get into quick-moving unstable areas, and fall into the slime of mud streams.’

Poisonous gas emissions also pose a risk of illness or death. 

‘Flights over the volcano in small aircraft are also extremely dangerous,’ warned officials. 

All travel agencies in the region have been warned against bringing tourists close and residents were told: ‘Be prudent and not come close to the erupting volcano.

‘Remember, your safety, your health and your life, first of all, are in your hands.’

Tourists at Klyuchevskaya Sopka


Tourists at Klyuchevskaya Sopka


Tourists at Klyuchevskaya Sopka


Tourists at Klyuchevskaya Sopka


Klyuchevskaya Sopka

‘I could not even hope I would be so lucky to see such an eruption.' @polina_kamchatka, Maxim Fesyunov/ @fesmaks2, Denis Budkov/@ratbud, Sun Travel Kamchatka

Leaflets were also distributed in Klyuchi village, a key access point, but this did not stop the tourist trek. 

Olga Girina, head of Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Group (KVERT), said: 'The eruption continues, the cinder cone grows, and lava continues to flow out of the cone.

‘Lava bombs are scattered around. 

‘In social network footage, people stand on the crater and shoot how volcanic bombs and slag are thrown out of the crater about 60 metres above its edge. 

‘This is dangerous….

‘They were lucky that no one was hit on the head.

‘Volcanic bombs are thrown out at great speed.’

Warning leaflet

Leaflets were also distributed in Klyuchi village, a key access point, but this did not stop the tourist trek. Picture: Maxim Fesyunov/ @fesmaks2

She said in one day 50 people arrived by helicopter, snowmobile and by foot.

But tour guide Polina who defied the warnings and climbed the volcano, said: ‘My dreams came true. 

‘I could not even hope I would be so lucky to see such an eruption. 

‘My emotions were so strong that when we descended the glacier, in the darkness, I was so overwhelmed.

‘I cried for 15 minutes.’

Comments (3)

@Benedikt Morak, something went wrong and your comment wasn't delivered to the system ( triple checked) , we appreciate your respective comments and glad to read them very much every time you write
Alexander, The Siberian Times , Novosibirsk
24/03/2021 21:28
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wonder what happened to my reply? SibTimes did not like it, so they dont show it?It was nothing aggressive, nothing vulgar, nothing obscen. Well, so be it..
Benedikt MORAK, Russia
24/03/2021 14:15
0
3033
Люди, люди....люди губят себя и физически и морально, мир сошел с ума в погоне за лайками. Самые экстремальные "охотники" за лайками уже давно отошли к Господу, теперь очередь следующих.
Александр Колчак, Сибирь/Россия
23/03/2021 16:28
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0
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