Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna in Sicily, erupted on Dec 24 with more than 130 earthquakes of up to 4.3 in magnitude.

Lava had spewed from a new fracture near its south-eastern crater. It was Etna's "first flank eruption" in more than a decade.

Volcanic ash covered nearby villages, while planes into Catania airport had to be halted temporarily. A large explosion was felt close to Etna during the morning.

A video filmed 2,500m (8,200 ft) up the 3,350m volcano showed the fast spread of ash. People on the mountainside were told to escape quickly.