Volcano Erupts, Injuring Tourists

The Stromboli volcano on a tiny Sicilian island erupted briefly but violently, blasting out thick smoke and lava, and slightly injuring seven tourists on the island.

The volcano poured out gas and hot stones for 12 seconds just before midnight Saturday.

The blast torched the tall, dry reeds and brush that fill the volcano’s old lava channels. Residents put out the blaze before it could reach the island’s few hamlets.

One lava rock hit a Swiss tourist in the head, and six other suffered minor injuries scrambling down the slopes.

Tourists outnumber the 400 residents on the island.