WATCH: Tourists Run for Their Lives as Italy’s Mount Etna Suddenly Erupts in Explosion of Ash

Panicked tourists have been seen fleeing in fear as Italy’s Mount Etna suddenly erupted Monday, sending a thick cloud of ash into the sky.

Videos posted to social media show Etna, one of world’s most active volcanoes, spewing dark smoke in a scene that took many hikers around the mountain by complete surprise.

The explosion sent tourists in the area running away in fear.

Watch above via YouTube/FoxWeather.