Dozens of tourists fled as plumes of black smoke erupted from Mount Etna in Sicily

Thick columns of smoke and ash streamed into the sky above eastern Sicily as Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, erupted on Monday, forcing dozens of tourists to flee the area.

The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported that a partial collapse in the volcano's southeastern crater likely triggered the eruption.

Lava fountains and large plumes of volcanic ash reached an altitude of approximately 6,400 meters (about 4 miles), according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre. Aviation authorities issued a "code red" alert for flights operating in the region, which was later downgraded to orange. Some flights experienced delays due to the volcanic cloud.

Videos captured by hikers and visitors showed terrified tourists fleeing down the mountainside as black smoke billowed from the summit. Media reports suggest that about 40 tourists were on the volcano at the time of the eruption but they all appear to have been safely escorted away from the area. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Volcanologists at INGV said the activity began with a strong volcanic tremor located about 2.7km below the summit crater. The tremor reportedly intensified for several hours before lava and pyroclastic material were expelled. The explosion follows weeks of minor seismic activity in the region.

Despite the explosive nature of the eruption, the material flow from the volcano did not reach the Lion Valley, an area located at an altitude of approximately 2,800 meters and frequented by hikers. Officials said this means that there is currently no danger to residents.

"According to initial data, the material has not reached the edge of the Leon Valley, and, as I have been assured, there is no danger to the population," Sicilian President Renato Schifani stated.

An official update later declared that the ash cloud emission had ended by the afternoon.

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Nevertheless, the authorities urged the public to exercise "extreme caution" and avoid high-altitude areas around the volcano due to the risk of sudden explosive activity. Local civil protection officials have not ordered a full evacuation, but patrols have been deployed to monitor access to Etna's slopes.

(RT.com)