Unusual eruptions

26. August 1999

At 00:58 a strong explosion was observed. Gianfranco Cincotta reports this sequence of events: A normal explosion at Crater 3, followed by a more intense one at Crater 1. Then, after a tremor, the paroxysmal event in the vent in front of Crater 2, which we continue to consider part of Crater 3 for "historical" reasons but has almost reached the status of an independent crater. The pyroclastic material was clearly visible from the village and fell over a wide area including the path section with the observation points around the 700m level. Danielle Cottens reports seeing some small fires from Scari. The paroxysmal event happened just while the evening group was descending the volcano and the night one was still climbing it. According to Gianfranco Cincotta, 10 tourists asked for medical assistance (5 Italian, 2 German and 3 French). All were slightly injured, mostly because of the sudden run away from the craters. A man was inside his sleeping bag on the Pizzo, and this was slightly burnt by the pyroclasts. This is once again a warning against sleeping on the top of the volcano!