Mount Etna, the volcano on the Italian island of Sicily, has erupted again, the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) said today.
The Strombolian eruption - during which lava and ash are ejected from the volcano - produced an ash cloud around 6,000 metres high, INGV said.
The institute had recorded an increase in volcanic tremors on Wednesday evening ahead of the eruption. It said heavy clouds obscured visibility this morning.
According to INGV's forecasts, the ash cloud is expected to move north-east towards the cities of Taormina and Messina.
The highest warning level for air traffic has been issued, but there are currently no restrictions, while INGV said there is no danger to nearby inhabited areas. The institute is continuing to monitor the situation closely.
Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, erupts regularly, attracting many onlookers.
The volcano last erupted at the beginning of June, releasing lava, ash and a so-called pyroclastic flow - a fiery mixture of gas, rock and ash dust - in the remote Valle del Leone area.
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