Several tourists have been injured as Mount Etna erupted for the third time in just under three weeks, spitting molten lava nearly 650 feet into the sky above Sicily.
A BBC journalist and camera crew were caught in the huge explosion on Thursday.
‘Lava flow mixed with steam – caused huge explosion – group pelted with boiling rocks and steam,’ the BBC’s global science correspondent, Rebecca Morelle, tweeted.
She reported an estimated eight people suffered head injuries, burns, cuts and bruises.
‘An amazing 78 year old lady was very close – but safely got away,’ Ms Morelle tweeted.
‘Incident could have been worse – explosions like this have killed – but seems minor injuries for now.
‘BBC team all OK – some cuts/ bruises and burns. Very shaken though – it was extremely scary.
‘Running down a mountain pelted by rocks, dodging burning boulders and boiling steam – not an experience I ever ever want to repeat,’ she added.
This latest phase of activity at Europe’s highest volcano follows the first eruption in more than a year at the end of February.
The eruption came from a relatively new crater on the southeastern side of the 3,000-metre peak.
The eruption was captured on film by Italy’s Geology and Vulcanology Institute (INGV).
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