Europe's tallest active volcano, Mount Etna, put on a stunning display on Tuesday night with red hot lava spewing meters up into the night-time sky.

The main eruption was located at the south-eastern crater.

The flow of hot lava was directed away from inhabited areas and Italian authorities did not issue any warning of danger to houses and people.

The south-eastern crater, born in 1971, has been the most active in recent years.

Etna, which is located above the Sicilian town of Catania, often erupts but rarely causes damage.

Whilst the eruptions themselves do not put the local population at risk, the local inhabitants do have to live with the ash showers that follow the events.

This time local airports managed to remain open.

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