One brave mountaineer filmed molten lava exploding and oozing from a volcano on the French-controlled island of La Réunion, ignoring warnings from local authorities to avoid the area.

Lava can be seen spitting from the blackened craters of the Piton de la Fournaise as it erupted last Monday morning (February 18) on the French overseas department of Reunion in the Indian ocean.

The local authorities had forbidden anyone from going near the volcano as the area is considered very dangerous. The hiker defied the warning, justifying his trip claiming that "I'm very experienced and know the area very well."

While the Piton de la Fournaise is 2,632 metres high, the latest eruption was taking place at an altitude of approximately 1,800 metres creating mile-long lava flows.