– / AFP
This image provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows Kilauea erupting from Halemaumau Summit Crater in Hawaii.
INTERNATIONAL – A high risk area. In Hawaii, a young child reminded everyone of the dangers of tourism around volcanoes, particularly near that of Kīlauea, which erupted on Monday, December 23. As his family admired the scenery, the young child began running towards the edge of a 120 meter high cliff, overlooking the volcano. His mother narrowly caught him, saving him from a probably fatal fall.
The child had simply moved away from his family “a fraction of a second”Hawaii National Park officials said this Sunday, December 29. “His mother, screaming, managed to catch him”he then specified in a press release, while the toddler was “only a few centimeters from a fatal fall”.
National park management said the incident occurred on Christmas Day, in a closed area of the park where families had gathered to watch the lava. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and attracts many tourists for its spectacular lava eruptions. It had just erupted again on Christmas Eve, December 23, around 2 a.m.
Unstable soils, toxic gases and changing weather
Ranger Jessica Ferracane, who observed the incident, told the BBC that she hoped that sharing the details of this incident would help “prevent future tragedies”. In a statement, National Park Director Rhonda Loh also told tourists: “Your safety is our greatest concern, but we are counting on everyone to recreate responsibly. National parks showcase the splendor of nature, but they are not playgrounds,” she added.
She then added that “closed areas, barriers, closure signs and traffic management”, have been put in place to reduce the risk of accidents. Separately, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, affiliated with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), reported that the volcano’s eruption was on pause, but could resume at any time, leading to continued emissions of toxic gases.
The National Park Service has finally warned visitors that they may encounter unstable ground, sharp volcanic rocks and hidden lava tubes that pose a risk of injury. He added that weather conditions can change quickly, and require the greatest vigilance.
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