MOUNT Etna has dramatically erupted, sending holidaymakers fleeing for their lives as smoke billowed from the mountain.

The highest active volcano in Europe began to erupt this morning in tourist hotspot Sicily, Italy.

Harrowing footage shows tourists desperately running for their lives as a gargantuan ash cloud forms above them.

An avalanche of boiling rock, ash, and gas is seen spewing from the mountain, with smoke visible for miles.

A terrifying volcanic tremor was felt just moments before the eruption.

The tremor began at roughly 10pm last night before reaching a peak three hours later in the middle of the night.

It was localised at an altitude of 2.8km below the crater area.

Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Toulouse (VAAC) issued a “code red” for aviation due to the unbelievable eruption today.

They explained that an ash cloud made predominantly of water and sulphur dioxide was “drifting towards the south west”.

Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reported: “In recent hours, the activity mentioned in the earlier update at 4:14 am (3:14 am BST) has persisted with strombolian eruptions that have intensified, currently reaching strong and almost constant levels.”

In the past, Etna’s eruptions have caused nearby towns to be covered in black volcanic ash.

In February, Mount Etna turned into a fiery peak as hot lava spewed from the erupting volcano.

Marco Bassot, who has 416,000 Instagram followers, captured the moment on camera.

Snowboarder Marco said: “This fracture started some days ago and created a huge, intense and impressive lava flow for more than 1,000 meters.

“In my 40 years, I’ve witnessed many extraordinary things, but traveling alongside a stream of flowing lava is among the most unique, awe-inspiring, and stunning experiences I’ve ever encountered.”