BBC crew hit by red-hot rocks as volcano erupts
A FILM crew and several tourists were injured yesterday when a volcano erupted, showering them with “burning boulders and boiling steam”.
BBC science correspondent Rebecca Morelle was with a team of scientists near the rim of Mount Etna in Sicily when they were forced to flee.
Officials said six people went to hospital, none in a serious condition.
After the blast Ms Morelle wrote on Twitter: “Running down a mountain pelted by rocks, dodging burning boulders and boiling steam – not an experience I want to repeat.”
She continued to report live from the scene with a series of online posts.
One said: “Many injured – some head injuries, burns, cuts and bruises. Volcanologist said most dangerous incident experience in his 30 year career.”
In another she wrote: “Incident could have been worse – explosions like this have killed – but seems minor injuries for now.”
And then in a reassuring message she said: “BBC team all ok. Very shaken though – it was extremely scary.
“Should re-iterate – we are all ok – people brought off mountain quickly by the excellent rescue team.”
It is the third time in as many weeks that Europe’s most active volcano has erupted.
After a quiet couple of years it suddenly burst into action last month, with repeated eruptions sending orange plumes of lava into the air.
Separate news reports in Italy suggested the blast was caused by liquid hot lava hitting snow on the Mediterranean island peak.