A massive eruption at Mt. Etna forced tourists to flee the volcano on Monday after a plume of high temperature gases, ash and rock “several kilometers high” billowed into the air above them, Italian authorities said.

Crater still smouldering after tourists flee strongest volcanic blast in four years - Footage shared on social media shows huge clouds of black smoke after the eruption

Italy's Mount Etna on the island of Sicily erupted Monday, spewing ash and hot lava that sent tourists fleeing from the 10,925-foot mountain, which is one of the world's most active volcanoes.