A second volcano has erupted in Italy this week – as Mount Stromboli belched ash and lava just off the northern coast of Sicily. 

Local media report that the Italian fire department has enhanced its monitoring of the volcano as it becomes more active.

The coast guard has stepped up its activity too deploying more patrol boats and aircraft. 

The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) based in Toulouse, France warned of an ash plume that rose up to an estimated altitude of 2000m.   

Lava flowed from the volcano into the sea along the Sciara del Fuaco, a depression on the island which serves as a major tourist attraction for the island.

Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes in the world – renowned for its regular, but normally minor, eruptions that send lava oozing from vents inside its crater. 

It has been active for thousands of years. With an area of 12.6 square kilometres, the island represents the upper third of the volcano. 

The minor eruptions which are often visible from the island and surrounding sea have given rise to its nickname of the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.”  

Yesterday, Mount Etna erupted with a spectacular display of lava and ash. Lava flowed from the 3,300 metre high mountain. 

The eruption caused Italy’s Civil Protection agency to raise the alert level in the area from green to yellow. 

The two volcanoes are barely 180km away from each other.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was indicted by the country’s Federal Police for alleged money laundering and criminal association in connection with diamonds he allegedly received from Saudi Arabia while he was in office, a source with knowledge of the accusations told The Associated Press.

Reports of the indictment were confirmed by two officials who spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity. However, the crimes of which the Federal Police are accusing the former president have not been disclosed.

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The Brazilian Supreme Court has yet to receive the police report containing the indictment. Once it does, the document will be reviewed by Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet, an appointee of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – a leftist firebrand and chief political rival to Bolsonaro.

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Lula da Silva narrowly defeated the right-wing leader in his 2022 re-election bid.

Gonet will then decide whether the allegations against the former president merit criminal charges and a trial.

This is the second formal accusation of criminal wrongdoing against the former president, who in March was charged with forging his COVID-19 vaccine records.

Authorities are also probing his alleged involvement in the incitement of a 2023 uprising in Brasília, Brazil’s capital, which sought to oust the newly-elected Lula from office.

Bolsonaro has denied all wrongdoing. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.