Ten people were injured Thursday by an explosion from one of the craters of Etna which is currently active, local sources said. None are in serious condition, the sources said. Six of them will be taken to hospitals in Catania and Acireale. The explosion took place on Etna's Belvedere near Nicolosi when lava touched the snow on the volcano's peak, sparking a so-called "phreatic explosion" at an altitude of 2,700 metres, sources said.
Pyroclastic material sent flying like shrapnel hit a group of trekkers.
Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, has shown lava spouts and ash plumes in recent days.
Three British tourists were among the people injured and a BBC crew also got a nasty scare. The three Britons are in Acireale hospital being treated for burns. Rebecca Morelle, global science correspondent for BBC News, reported that her crew had been involved in the the incident. "Caught up in incident at Mount Etna - bbc crew & tourists caught up in huge explosion - caused injuries and evacuation from scene," Morelle said on her Twitter account, @BBCMorelle. "Lava flow mixed with steam - caused huge explosion - group pelted with boiling rocks and steam. "Many injured - some head injuries, burns, cuts and bruises. Volcanologist said most dangerous incident experience in his 30 year career. "Bbc team all ok - some cuts/ bruises and burns. Very shaken though - it was extremely scary".
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