Mount Etna erupts, lava flows illuminate Sicily sky

Mount Etna on Sicily began erupting on Friday from a fissure about 3,000 metres above sea level, spewing bright orange lava down the volcano’s slopes. The eruption has produced weak explosive activity at the summit craters but no significant ash cloud, keeping the aviation colour code at orange. Authorities have raised the alert level to yellow for local residents and maintain restrictions on access to the immediate area, though no evacuations or damage have been reported. Thousands of tourists have gathered to view the lava flow, which continues to descend several hundred metres each day while scientists monitor the event with seismic, thermal and satellite instruments.