Going with the flow! Stunned tourists pictured sailing incredibly close to one of Europe's most active volcanoes as it ERUPTS




This is the spectacular moment a group of tourists came face to face with one of Europe's most active volcanoes in mid-eruption. Stromboli, located just off Sicilian coast in southern Italy - and famed for its volcanic activity - began erupting last week.

The holidaymakers can be seen watching on with awe as fiery lava flows spill into the Mediterranean Sea, accompanied by plumes of smoke.

One man can be seen filming the dramatic scenes on his phone. Images taken later at night capture the the lava streams burning bright as they run run down the face of the volcano.

Standing at 3,034ft (926m) above sea level, Stromboli is often referred to as the 'Lighthouse of the Mediterranean'. Considered as active for more than 2,000 years, it has been erupting continuously since 1932, with the last major eruption occurring in April 2009.

The National Institute of of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) has described the eruptions as 'the most significant in recent years.'

The mayor of nearby Lipari island, Marco Giorgianni, described the situation as 'certainly not normal'. Tourist trips, which were cancelled over the weekend due to the volcano remaining 'too active', are expected to resume this week.

Steam gushes into the air as lava from the Stromboli volcano gushes into the sea off Sicily

Tourists have been flocking to catch a glimpse of the epic sight, caused by lava flows spilling out after one side of the volcano collapsed

Tourists dressed only in their swim wear watch the steam rising from the seas around Stromboli from their boat

Stromboli, one of Europe's most active volcano, is part of the seven-island Eolian Archipelago just off Sicily in southern Italy

Eruption: A tourist boat sails close tot he action so holidaymakers can watch on as lava from the Stromboli volcano flows into the Mediterranean Sea



Awe-struck: An impressed holidaymaker captures the eruption on his phone as the boat passes close to a trail of lava snaking its way down to the sea

Sunning themselves: Holidaymakers steering their speedboat towards the eruption seem unbothered by the plumes of steam caused by the molten lava cooling in the sea