Tourists have been sent running down the side of an Italian mountain on Sicily’s east coast, after Europe’s largest active volcano erupted.
The explosion of Mount Etna reportedly sent plumes of ash as far as five kilometres into the air and volcanic streams billowing down its side.
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Video footage captured dozens of tourists scrambling to get to safety.
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reports that volcanic activity was first detected early in the morning and has been increasing in intensity.
A red Aviation warning was issued at the time.
It’s since been downgraded, with the area remaining closed to touritsts.
The danger area’s confined to Mount Etna’s summit and Sicily’s president says locals aren’t at risk.
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