Mount Etna erupts as tourists frantically flee for their lives and smoke plume billows from volcano in Italy

Tourists were spotted sprinting away from the eruption of Europe's largest active volcano in Sicily.

It's understood the volcano had recently been 'rumbling' and today it dramatically exploded.

As black smoke billowed up - frantic tourists fled the scene in pursuit of safety.

Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Toulouse (VAAC) issued a brief 'code red' for aviation due to the eruption.

The VAAC said that an ash cloud mainly comprised of water and sulphur dioxide was 'drifting towards the south west'.

Footage displayed the danger from pyroclastic flow - an avalanche of hot rock, ash and gas. The collapse of part of the crater is the most likely cause of this.

Meanwhile, a live stream of the volcano shows the eruption has appeared to subside.

The nearby town of Catania was overshadowed by a sky full of ash.

Other footage shows tourists at hotel pools while the eruption could be seen in the distance.

The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia observatory said explosive activity from the Southeast Crater "has moved to a lava fountain".

The organisation added that "the volcanic tremor has reached very high values".

Mount Etna has been very active this year - with around 13 eruptions, some of which resulted in lava bombs and lava fountains.

Just last month, the volcano - which is a highly popular draw for tourists visiting Sicily - could be seen with lava bursting out and pouring down the mountain.