Hikers in Sicily have been warned to stay away from Mount Etna after a sizable eruption sent tourists fleeing from the 11,165ft peak. Videos posted to social media show people running from a large grey cloud, which quickly emerged from the active volcano at around 11.30am on Monday, June 2.

Tours are returning to the slopes of Mount Etna after its largest eruption in four years sent tourists fleeing from a vast column of gas and ash on Monday. After footage of the dramatic eruption circulated online - showing tourists sprinting down the volcano as black ash spewed several kilometres into the sky - Italian geological authorities were quick to quell fears that tourists and residents were under any danger.

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.