Ecuador volcano eruptions subside

Workers cleaned ash from planes at Quito airport

Eruptions from Ecuador's El Reventador volcano have subsided, allowing businesses and government offices to reopen in the capital, Quito.

Citizens were told to wear surgical masks

Heavy rains on Tuesday also washed away the estimated one million tonnes of ash that had blanketed the city after the volcano began erupting on Sunday.

Ash and steam from the 3,562m (11,775ft) volcano, located about 60 miles (95 kilometres) north east of the city, blanketed the capital, disrupted the country's transport system and made breathing for residents difficult.

No injuries were reported from the eruption, although Quito Mayor Paco Moncayo told the Associated Press news agency that at least one person had died and 16 people were injured while trying to sweep ash off their homes.

The city's airport remained closed on Tuesday as hundreds of workers continued to clean ash off planes.

Surgical masks

Hugo Yepez, Director of Ecuador's Geophysical Institute, said that no major activity had occurred for several hours.

"It is too soon to tell, but these 18 hours of tranquillity are a good thing," he told Reuters news agency.

Some residents returned to the streets of Quito without the white surgical masks government officials encouraged them to use.

However, authorities asked the city's 1.4 million residents to stay inside to avoid inhaling volcanic dust, and said if they had to attend work they should leave early to help the clean-up process.

Some residents also complained of power cuts and polluted water, but the mayor said power was being restored.