Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / AMERICAS
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Monday, 17 July 2006, 03:21 GMT 04:21 UK

Ecuador volcano sparks evacuation

Tungurahua volcano Several thousand people have been evacuated from their homes in Ecuador by continuing volcanic eruptions.

Tungurahua has been spitting out ash and lava for three days, and emitting loud explosions. It returned to life in 1999, after a century of inactivity.

So far there have been no injuries, but some villagers are reluctant to leave their homes and livestock.

President Alfredo Palacio has announced $4.9m in aid, after touring the affected area at the weekend.

Nearby towns have been covered in volcanic ash, as the wind carried the dust up to 120km (75 miles) from Tungurahua.

In pictures: Volcano rumbles

Tungurahua volcano

There have been 24 explosive cycles since Saturday, according to an official at the country's Geophysical Institute.

Some locals have refused to move away from the area.

"They said to evacuate but we're not going to leave because we're not going to throw away the animals, the houses," said Manuel Rosero, wearing a handkerchief over his face against the ash in the air.

Tungurahua is 5,029 metres (16,500ft) high, and is located 135km (85 miles) south of the capital, Quito.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Country profile: Ecuador (04 Jan 06 |  Country profiles )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Ecuadorean presidency (in Spanish)
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©