Terrified tourists run for their lives as Mount Etna erupts, sending gigantic plume of ash into sky

Huge clouds of ash more than a mile high have erupted from Mount Etna, triggered by an avalanche of boiling rock hurtling down the side of the volcano.

Terrified tourists visiting the Italian volcano were forced to run for their lives after a ginormous ash cloud erupted behind them.

Residents in nearby towns and cities could see the dramatic cloud begin to dominate the skyline, with ash beginning to settle on buildings and roads.

In one video, the shocking formation begins to blot out the sun.

Tourists are able to visit the 3,300m-high Mount Etna in guided tours or access certain areas independently.

A red aviation warning was briefly issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre Toulouse but has now turned to orange.

The most active volcano in Europe had been experiencing some activity in the last few hours with volcanic tremors felt overnight but has escalated to continuous ‘explosions of growing intensity’.