State of emergency declared over Etna eruptions

A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Sicily over Mount Etna's continuing eruption.

Lava flowing from the volcano is threatening the town of Nicolosi and 70 families have already been served with evacuation warnings.

The declaration comes despite experts saying that the lava is slowing down and that they believe the main town will be spared.

The closest flow is around two-and-a-half miles away. The emergency declaration extends through Catania, the province where Etna is situated.

Scientists from the Catania Institute of Vulcanology and Geophysics said the two main arteries of lava have slowed down considerably since Monday, when two new fractures appeared on the south side of the volcano.

The new outlets reduced pressure on two rivers of lava advancing toward Nicolosi and Rifugio Sapienza, a tourist station high on the slopes.

The province's airport has now reopened after strong winds swept black volcanic ash and dust off the runway.

Etna is continuing to spew huge lumps of molten rock hundreds of feet in the air in the biggest eruption since 1992.