Piton de la Fournaise volcano erupts in France

The eruption of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano began on Wednesday on the French island of Reunion, located in the Indian Ocean, according to the local volcanological observatory.

Report informs, citing TASS, that specialists recorded seismic activity on the southern slope of the volcano at 01:15 local time, and then tremors, which may signal the approach of magma to the surface.

"No visual confirmation of the beginning of the eruption on the complex's webcams has yet been received due to adverse weather conditions. <...> However, the presence of seismic activity indicates the release of hot gases to the surface and the possibility of lava ejection in the short term," specialists said in their communique.

For security reasons, the island's authorities have temporarily banned access to the Anclo Fouquet caldera and the Pas-de-Bellecombe observation deck, as well as the landing of aircraft near the volcano.