The BBC team were on the Sicilian volcano at the time and filmed the explosion, which showered the group with boiling rocks and steam.

Around eight people suffered minor injuries during the eruption with some evacuated by mountain rescue teams.

BBC science reporter Rebecca Morelle said a volcanologist at the scene told her it was the most dangerous incident he had experienced in his 30-year-career.

Morelle described how a guide had suffered a dislocated shoulder during the eruption, while a 78-year-old woman had been very close to the blast, but managed to escape unharmed.

Members of the group ran away from the blast towards trying to reach the safety of a snow mobile, she added.

In a update to its travel advice to Italy, the FCO said: “Mount Etna has been erupting with increasing frequency; take care if you’re near any active volcano and follow local advice.”

Travellers were advised to visit the Italian Civil Protection website for more information about volcanoes in the country.

The Catania operation centre of Italy’s volcanology institute confirmed that three of its volcanologists had been on the volcano when the eruption took place, and that some had suffered injuries, BBC News reports.

Mount Etna, which is Europe’s tallest active volcano, spat lava up into the sky in the early hours of Thursday morning (March 16) for the third time in as many weeks.