Etna on Thursday belched out a 12 km high lava plume in the latest of s string of recent spectacular eruptions from Europe's tallest active volcano.
The volcano spewed ash and lapilli onto nearby Catania but the eastern Sicilian city's airport was still operational.
A southeastern breeze helped take the high and dense column of lavic ash across the city.
Lapilli also fell onto a number of smaller towns and villages on Etna's southern slopes including Nicolosi, Trecastagni, Pedara, Aci Sant'Antonio and San Gregorio.
The iconic volcano also emitted a fresh lava flow.
Volcanology institute INGV said it was the ninth "paroxysm" in Etna's latest phase of volcanic activity.
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