Residents evacuate Stromboli volcano

[Grant]

Residents and tourists have been told to move away from the coast of an Italian volcanic island in case its spectacular eruptions cause tidal waves, emergency services said today.

Two big lava flows burst out of Stromboli's side yesterday, sending up vast plumes of steam as they plunged into the Mediterranean below. Authorities said there was no immediate risk to people living on the island, off the coast of Sicily.

[Grant]

Emergency plans have been put into operation after two new craters opened on the summit of the volcanic Italian island of Stromboli.
One of the new lava streams created on the island, just north of Sicily, has already started flowing into the sea. Coastguard patrol boats have been deployed and the population of 750 people has been urged to stay away from the danger areas.

The last major eruption in 2002 caused a collapse that led to a small tsunami. The wave reached 10 metres (33ft) high and caused serious damage to Stromboli village on the north of the island.

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Volcanic Italian island on alert

[Kiwi]

Some pictures from the eruption BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Stromboli erupts