Italy's Mount Etna spews lava

2013-03-06 4

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Europe's highest active volcano, Mount Etna, sent streams of red hot lava into the night sky on Tuesday (March 5) as it continued a series of recent eruptions.

The activity was reported to have taken place at a height of around 2,900 metres at a new crater.

As lava streamed down the side of the volcano, experts said the local population was in no danger.

Hardened pieces of lava covered the roads in the area as the fragments cooled.

Etna, which is located above the Sicilian town of Catania, often erupts but rarely causes damage.

Whilst the eruptions themselves do not put the local population at risk, the local inhabitants have to live with the ash showers that follow the events.