Lava-spewing volcano prompts state of emergency on Italian island

Lava from the Stromboli volcano slides down into the sea in 2003. A state of emergency was declared on Italy's tiny, windswept island of Stromboli Tuesday after its volcano sprang to life with the opening of two new lava-spewing faults, the civil guard said.(AFP/ANSA/File/Francesco Cufari)

ROME (AFP) - A state of emergency was declared on Italy's tiny, windswept island of Stromboli Tuesday after its volcano sprang to life with the opening of two new lava-spewing faults, the civil guard said.

Stromboli, one of Europe's most active volcanos, had recently been placed under heightened surveillance after scientists registered higher readings.

The civilian guard said Tuesday that it had registered an "important increase" in volcanic activity.

It decided to put its emergency plan into action after discovering lava spewing from two new faults, adding that one of the lava streams had already reached the sea.