Photos posted by residents show the black and grey smoke spewed over the blue skies as Etna blew her top on Christmas Eve. Seismic activity has been rocking the active volcano for the past few days, with lava seen bubbling up from its crater. Locals have reported hearing a "massive explosion" – and those used to living the shadow of the volcano have predicted ash rain.

Others described the latest eruption as "violent" and raised fears for the nearby Catania International Airport. Francesca Marchese wrote: "Ms Etna is performing a Christmas show. Many little earthquakes in the last few hours." Tremors as large at 3.9 magnitude were felt ahead of the Christmas Eve eruption as the ash cloud begins to loom over the nearby Catania.