In pictures: Etna menace

A thick river of lava, which was threatening to engulf a tourist hostel on the southern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, has stopped just metres away from the building.

"It is too early to celebrate because the volcano is unpredictable," a local official said. "But for now we can breathe and wait."

Up to five earthquakes rocked the region on Sunday, prompting residents to flee their homes.

Europe's most active volcano began erupting at the end of October, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in eastern Sicily.

A blast of gas and lava created a small new crater on Monday, but the volcano was generally calmer

The lava stopped short of the hostel, located at an altitude of 2,100 metres (6,800 ft)

The main river of lava has branched out and is cooling down

The authorities, however, have said they will remain on alert

Relief workers used bulldozers to build a high wall of earth to protect the hostel

Tourist facilities on the volcano's south-east flank have already been evacuated

Last month, an eruption caused tremors which forced the evacuation of 1,000 local residents