Italy’s Mount Etna erupted on Monday, sending thick columns of ash into the sky over Sicily and forcing tourists in the area to flee.

The eruption prompted a “code red” alert from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Toulouse, which confirmed that volcanic ash had begun falling across nearby regions.

Mount Etna, located on the east coast of Sicily, is the highest active volcano in Europe. The eruption began early Monday, with explosions shaking nearby homes and startling tourists on the mountain.

Visitors were seen rushing to evacuate the area as lava began to flow and ash filled the air.

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Authorities monitoring the volcano confirmed that the event involved what they described as “strong strombolian activity.” Strombolian eruptions are characterized by explosive bursts of lava caused by gas bubbles within the magma.

The eruption sent ash plumes as high as 6,400 meters, or approximately four miles into the atmosphere, according to the latest data from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.

Video footage posted to social media showed panicked tourists descending the mountainside as dark smoke billowed behind them. In one video, a local trekking guide recorded the scene as the plume of volcanic ash grew denser.

Officials did not report any injuries at the time of the eruption. However, the ash fall created hazardous conditions across parts of eastern Sicily, prompting local authorities to monitor air traffic and advise caution for residents and visitors in the area.

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Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and has erupted numerous times in recent decades. While activity is frequent, each eruption presents unique challenges depending on its intensity and the affected areas.

The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre continued to monitor the situation closely and said additional updates would follow depending on changes in seismic activity or ash dispersion patterns.

As of Monday evening, the eruption was ongoing, with authorities maintaining the code red alert due to the risk posed to air travel and surrounding communities.

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