A volcano on the Italian island of Stromboli had an explosive eruption, killing one and sending a column of smoke high into the air while blanketing the popular tourist destination in ash.
The volcano, which is known to be active, burst with a loud explosion Wednesday afternoon. The volcano is popular with tourists, who often make the 3,000-foot climb to the summit of the behemoth to look into its crater, which is usually puffing out smoke and small bits of molten rock.
#Update: A video uploaded by one of the tourist on the island shows how close the Volcano top is on the small island of #Stromboli in #Italy pic.twitter.com/0sOP2iktju
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) July 3, 2019
The person killed is believed to be a tourist who died from falling rocks resulting from the explosion, which could be heard on surrounding islands miles away. The eruption also set off fires across the western side of the island.
A hotel worker on Stromboli, Michela Favorito, said that the eruption caused ash to coat the area.
“We saw the explosion from the hotel. There was a loud roar,” Favorito said. “We plugged our ears, and after this, a cloud of ash swept over us. The whole sky is full of ash, a fairly large cloud.”
Witnesses said several boats took off from Stromboli after the blast. In addition to the death, one person was seriously injured in the eruption.
*BREAKING-URGENT* The #Stromboli volcano exploded a few minutes ago. Panic and Chaos among the people present on the Island. Many are trying to escape into the sea swimming or in small boats. #Volcano #Sicily #Eolie pic.twitter.com/GeGQ1Q3eBl
— Marco M.M. (@meteorologo777) July 3, 2019
BREAKING…. Updates; #Stromboli #volcano has erupted in #Italy this evening 3rd of July. Multiple people feared missing…. video by @TheAlexHopson #severeweather pic.twitter.com/yn9HZs7vyt
— WEATHER/ METEO WORLD (@StormchaserUKEU) July 3, 2019
