Mount Etna BBC Film Footage Shows Moment Crew Are Caught Up In Explosion

'Reminder of how dangerous and unpredictable volcanoes can be.'
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Incredible footage has emerged showing the “terrifying moment” a BBC crew got caught up in an explosion at Mount Etna this week.

The chaotic video shows the crew just metres from the eruption in Sicily, Italy, an explosion which one volcanologist at the scene described as “the most dangerous in his 30-year career”.

The eruption happened at about 11:30am on Thursday and left almost a dozen injured.

In the video rubble can be seen being thrown into the air as people try to distance themselves from the growing steam cloud. At the end of the clip survivors are left bloodied.

Mount Etna is on the east coast of Sicily.
Mount Etna is on the east coast of Sicily.
Google

The incident appears to be a phreatic explosion, where surface snow or water is rapidly heated by contact with magma or lava resulting in a burst of steam, water and rocks, officials have said.

At least 10 people are believed to have been injured from the volcanic rocks and steam.

Authorities say about 35 tourists were on the volcano when the explosion occurred around midday, and that the guides who accompanied them helped bring them to safety, the Associated Press reports.

Science correspondent Rebecca Morelle tweeted about being caught up in the explosion:

Caught up in incident at Mount Etna - bbc crew & tourists caught up in huge explosion - caused injuries and evacuation from scene. (1)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Lava flow mixed with steam - caused huge explosion - group pelted with boiling rocks and steam. (2)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Many injured - some head injuries, burns, cuts and bruises. Volcanologist said most dangerous incident experience in his 30 year career (3)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Incident could have been worse - explosions like this have killed - but seems minor injuries for now. (4)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Bbc team all ok - some cuts/ bruises and burns. Very shaken though - it was extremely scary. (5)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Should re-iterate - we are all ok - people brought off mountain quickly by the excellent rescue team (6)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Reminder of how dangerous & unpredictable volcanoes can be - everyone had a very lucky escape. (7)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

Running down a mountain pelted by rocks, dodging burning boulders and boiling steam - not an experience I ever ever want to repeat (8)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

An estimated 8 injuries logged by medical team here. An amazing 78 year old lady was very close - but safely got away (10)

— Rebecca Morelle (@BBCMorelle) March 16, 2017

The president of the Italian Alpine Club chapter in Catania, Umberto Marino, was travelling up the volcano in a snowcat when injured people started running in his direction.

“The material thrown into the air fell back down, striking the heads and bodies of people who were closest,” Marino told the Catania Today website.

According to Italian news agency ANSA, four people including three German tourists were hospitalised, mostly with head injuries. None of the injuries was listed as grave.

The tourists were in an area they were permitted to enter when the explosion occurred, officials said.

Mount Etna has been active for the past two days, creating a visual spectacle as it spews lava and ash into the air.

Officials at Catania airport on Thursday announced it would reduce arrivals by half to five flights an hour due to ash clouds.

Italy’s volcanology institute said it was continuing to monitor the phenomenon.

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