In southern Italy, a serious eruption of Mount Vesuvius shatters the town of Torre del Greco

More than twenty small earthquakes shook the 22,000 people in the town of Torre del Greco on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius near Naples.  A eruption of the volcano then took place, destroying houses, and lava began to flow down the slopes. Toxic smoke rose thousands of feet and hundreds of houses were covered in ash.  The lava flow ceased within days but ash continued to fall as far away as Naples for some time.  Several lives were lost and most of the town was forced to flee their homes over the following weeks.  (By John Osborne)