Eruption On Italian Island Kills One, Tourists Scramble

The Sicilian island of Stromboli is home to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. Rising dramatically from the Mediterranean, the volcanic island has been active for 2,000 years. Still, the volcanic activity has not stopped a small town from developing on the island’s eastern flank or tourists from trafficking the array of trails that lead to the volcanos peak. Its eruptions are so constant that the island has been nicknamed “The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean"  for the eerie glow that emanates from the island in the night.

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The daily activity of the island is nothing compared to what occurred on July third. Blasting a plume of molten rock and ash over two kilometers into the sky, the island was engulfed in a cloud of ash as lava ran down portions of the island. One hiker was hit and killed by flying debris, and another was injured as firefighter crews and helicopters were dispatched to put out fires set by the eruption. A local priest is quoted as saying “It was like being in hell because of the rain of fire coming from the sky.”