DRAMATIC footage shows the moment huge fountains of lava spewed into the sky as a volcanic eruption shook Italy.
Plumes of smoke and molten rock could be seen bursting into the sky from beneath the mountain surface.
The volcanic outburst was recorded at 4.10pm local time at Stromboli island, off the north coast of Sicily.
Video, filmed from the helicopter, showed large ash clouds spilled from the crater.
The magma was reportedly pouring out from a vent at 700m elevation, on the northern area of the mountain.
The volcano’s activity led to pyroclastic flow – a turbulent avalanche of hot gas and volcanic matter – heading forcefully towards the water.
The horrifying clip reveals the moment the hot rock fragments entered the Tyrrhenian Sea, sending a tower of ash into the sky.
The fast-moving current of fragmented lava rushed towards the coast, crossing the sea by several hundred metres from the shoreline.
The lava is understood to be flowing along the Sciara del Fuoco depression, which is a popular tourist attraction on the island.
It is also said that the magma emerged from a new fissure beneath the crater.
This could mean that the eruption may last for several days or more, according to Volcano Discovery.
In August 2014, a similar eruption at the Sciara lasted for ten days nonstop.
It comes after Brits heading to Italy have been issued with new travel advice after the country was hit by its “strongest earthquake in 40 years” right next to a volcano.
The Foreign Office has updated its advice for anyone travelling to southern Italy after an area near Naples has been experiencing a rise in seismic activity.
