Local couple in volcano terror

When a Welshpool couple arrived to view a volcano at dusk yesterday, they never expected to witness a once-in-every-30-years deadly eruption.

Donovan Suddell is spending two weeks in Italy with his wife and they decided to visit the island of Stromboli, off the south west coast, to witness the glowing craters from the active volcano at dusk.

But the pair became caught up in a major incident with the volcano erupting just minutes before they were due to set off on their hike.

“We were at the climbing centre and minutes before we set off there was a boom and the mountain just seemed to explode,” said Donovan, who took the pictures we have used.

“There was panic everywhere, including locals, and we were all evacuated to a safe zone. We witnessed smoke billowing from the top and fires burning the hillside.

“Everyone from the shoreline were also made to come to a safe zone due to tsunami fears.”

Sadly, a 35-year-old Italian who was hiking in the area died from being struck by falling rocks.

“Locals suggested this happens once in every 30 years. Today, everyone is acting like nothing happened.”

The pair will continue with their holiday, arriving back on the Italian mainland tonight and eventually back to the UK on July 13.