Thousands flee Colombian volcano

The volcano's eruptions have been described as violent and short

Thousands of people have been evacuated after a volcano erupted in southern Colombia, throwing out clouds of ash several kilometres high.

The 4,276m (14,110ft) Galeras volcano erupted at 2006 local time on Thursday (0106 GMT on Friday). No casualties have been reported.

Experts said the eruption was not a serious one, but local residents had to follow an evacuation procedure.

The volcano became reactivated 20 years ago and has erupted several times.

Nine people died in a 1993 eruption including five scientists who were doing experiments in the crater.

But Fernando Gil, head of the Colombian Seismological Network, told the Associated Press news agency the activity was the most serious since reactivation.

"Most eruptions are violent and short," he said.

About 8,000 people in areas of the city of Pasto threatened by the volcano were evacuated.

But most of the city, which is situated near the Ecuadorean border, was likely to be spared, Mr Gil said.