Stromboli volcano erupts as tourists watch on from beach

A volcano has erupted on the Mediterranean island of Stromboli, Italy, with social media users sharing images of the explosion.

Pictures showed people watching on from the beach as well as the island, with smoke billowing high into the sky.

National Geographic has described the volcano’s explosions as being “constant but mild” since 1932.

The president of the region of Sicily Nello Musumeci tweeted that action was being taken.

According to Italy’s ANSA news agency, tourists had thrown themselves into the sea as a result of the eruption.

Stromboli’s population is around 500, while its economy is based almost entirely on tourism.