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Etna: One of the most active volcanoes in Europe
Photo: ANTONIO PARRINELLO / REUTERS
The Etna volcano on the southern Italian island of Sicily has erupted.
As reported by several media outlets, including the Ansa news agency, there was a strong explosion on the southeast side of the volcano in the evening.
Numerous users shared photos and videos of the natural spectacle on social media.
On it was a huge cloud of smoke rising from the crater and lava flowing down the slope.
It is not yet known whether there was damage or injury.
The international airport in the city of Catania south of Mount Etna temporarily ceased operations because of the volcanic ash in the air.
According to Ansa, the column of smoke and ash rose to over a kilometer, which would impair safe flying.
The ash rain pelted down on houses, streets and balconies in the city.
On Etna there are always eruptions.
The volcano is in the east of Sicily.
With more than 300,000 inhabitants, Catania is one of the larger cities in the area.
The volcano itself is over 3300 meters high and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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bbr / dpa