Mount Etna eruption sends lava spewing and huge column of gas into night sky

Mount Etna has erupted sending a huge column of gas into the night sky.



The volcano, in Sicily, was pictured spewing lava in the small hours of Wednesday.



Mesmerising images show molten rock trickling down the slopes of the mountain - western Europe's highest active volcano.



Explosive activity continues at the eastern vent of the Southeast Crater.



The nearby craters of the Bocca Nuova and Cratere di Nordest are also active, according to Reuters news agency.



This eruption seems to be small but there have been dangerous blasts in recent years - in March 2017 ten people were injured including a BBC camera crew when spewing lava exploded on impact with snow.