A toddler narrowly escaped serious injury at Kilauea Overlook when he ran toward the edge of the caldera on Christmas Day.
The boy’s mother managed to catch him just in time, avoiding what would have been a fatal 400-foot fall in Pāhoa, Hawaii.
Jessica Ferracane, a public affairs specialist at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, witnessed the heart-stopping moment.
He explained that he initially thought the boy’s mother was simply ignoring the barriers, but quickly realized the woman was desperately trying to save her son.
The incident left the family visibly shaken and onlookers stunned into silence.
“We always tell visitors to keep their children close, but when you see something like this happen and someone almost dies, it’s really a disturbing experience for everyone there,” he said. star advisor.
Ferracane noticed that the family, consisting of six or seven adults, seemed distracted when the boy entered the closed area.
The group, who did not speak English, left shortly after the incident, preventing park officials from contacting them directly.
A toddler narrowly escaped serious injury at Kilauea Overlook when he ran toward the edge of the caldera on Christmas Day.
The boy’s mother managed to catch him just in time, avoiding what would have been a fatal 400-foot fall.
The park, which has seen an influx of visitors since Kilauea began erupting earlier in the week, continues to remind the public of the dangers near the caldera.
Despite a pause in the eruption on Wednesday morning, dangerous conditions persist, including toxic gas emissions and unstable terrain.
The glow of Halemaumau, a lava lake within Kaluapele, is still visible and has grown to 600 acres since the 2018 eruption.
Visitors are urged to stay on trails, respect closures and monitor air quality, as volcanic gases can pose serious health risks, especially to vulnerable people.
Superintendent Rhonda Loh emphasized the importance of complying with safety measures.
“Hazards that coincide with an eruption are dangerous and we have safety measures in place including closed areas, barriers, closure signs and traffic management,” Loh said.
Loh added: “Their safety is our greatest concern, but we trust everyone to take responsibility.” National parks show the splendor of nature, but they are not playgrounds.’
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted early Monday morning, with fountains of lava erupting from fissures within the summit caldera.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a ‘code red’ alert after detecting an increase in seismic activity.
The images showed a line of fissures erupting lava fountains, feeding lava flows within the summit caldera.
The park, which has seen an influx of visitors since Kilauea began erupting earlier in the week, continues to remind the public of the dangers near the caldera.
Scientists had warned of an imminent eruption after Kilauea experienced a spike in seismic activity last week, with around 100 small earthquakes detected at the base of the volcano.
“Activity is limited to the summit caldera and hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses,” the USGS said in a statement.
Kilauea Volcano, formed underwater 280,000 years ago, is Hawaii’s youngest and most active volcano. In Hawaiian legend, it is the home of Pelehonuamea, the goddess of volcanoes and fire.
Kilauea has erupted more than 60 times since the 19th century, releasing high levels of volcanic gases, including water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which can create vog, a haze that affects air quality.
Located on the Big Island, home to approximately 200,000 people, Kilauea’s eruptions can significantly impact the environment and surrounding communities.
Scientists warned of an imminent eruption after a spike in seismic activity last week, with more than 100 small earthquakes detected.
Ground deformation and increased seismic activity indicated the movement of magma beneath the surface. High levels of volcanic gases represent a significant danger.