Emergency plans were activated in Iceland after a volcano erupted on Wednesday, with glowing lava flows bubbling up in an event that was widely expected after a flurry of seismic activity, German press agency (dpa) reported.

The eruption started near the mountain Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes peninsula south-west of Reykjavik, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said in the afternoon.

Local officials have implemented emergency plans, they said. Police advised people to avoid the area.

Source: Emirates News Agency