Europe's biggest volcano spews lava as earthquakes signal latest return to life

Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, exploded into life again yesterday, spurting molten rock 650ft into the air above Sicily and producing streams of lava that engulfed small buildings on the island.

Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, exploded into life again yesterday, spurting molten rock 650ft into the air above Sicily and producing streams of lava that engulfed small buildings on the island.

Officials evacuated the area in the path of the lava flows after a new vent opened early yesterday morning. There were no reports of injuries.

By late afternoon, the eruption had destroyed a line of ski-lift pylons used to reach the summit, as well as a pine forest. Firefighting aircraft with water supplies were sent to try to slow the lava flow.

The airport at Catania – Sicily's second-largest city, which lies at the base of the mountain – was expected to remain closed until at least this morning after clouds of ash fell on it.

Residents were first alerted by a series of small earthquakes that were felt along the east coast of the island. Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology said more than 100 tremors, up to 3.5 on the Richter scale, struck. The epicentre was located close to the main crater.

More than 15 hours after the first eruptions, a large mushroom-shaped cloud still hung over the summit as municipal workers in Catania once more got down to removing thick layers of ash. Officials insisted that the city's population of 330,000 was in no danger.

The volcano, which at 10,900ft is Europe's highest, sent streams of magma high into the air before three tongues of lava emerged from fissures at a height of about 8,200ft.

The heaviest flow was moving towards Piano Provenzana, an area popular with tourists for walking and skiing. Power lines and a ski school, as well as ski pylons, were engulfed before the lava destroyed a mountain lodge.