The Etna volcano has erupted: "It was a bit scary" 

Sicily

The Etna volcano has erupted

Red warning

Linnea Blomberg

Updated 14.12 | Published 12.04

A kilometer-high ash column towers over Mount Etna in Sicily.

A red warning has now been issued for air traffic.

- It was a bit scary, says Swedish Kristina who just flew over the area.

Volcanic activity has been noted at Etna in Sicily.

The newspaper Corriere Della Sera has written about the volcanic eruption, which has developed into a so-called lava fountain, with powerful and almost continuous Strombolian explosions.

A massive ash column, several kilometers high, has risen above the volcano, the newspaper writes.

A warning has also been issued for air activity, which is now at the highest level - red. This means that the ash cloud can pose a danger to aircraft. Despite this, air traffic at Catania's Vincenzo Bellini International Airport is not currently affected.

            

            

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The ash cloud is visible from several miles away. Swedish Kristina saw the eruption with her own eyes.

- This was the last thing we thought would happen when we booked a holiday to Sicily, she says.

Kristina and her family watched the dramatic spectacle from an airplane window.

- We were very surprised, we started to wonder if lava would start spewing out too. It was a bit scary, she says.