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8 000 flee erupting volcano
18/01/2008 13:50 - (SA)
Bogota - Some 8 000 people living near the Galeras volcano on the southern border with Ecuador were evacuated as a precaution late on Thursday after the mountain erupted causing no reported injuries, officials said.
"The protocol dictates that local mayors have to evacuate high-risk area inhabitants. These people must head to shelters or safety zones," said Narino department government secretary Guillermo Garcia.
Authorities said high-risk areas include Pasto city, 920km south of Bogota, and the towns of Sandona, Narino, Yacuanquer, Consaca and Genoy.
In all, some 8 000 people have been asked to evacuate their homes, they added.
"The eruption was a little strong, but according to the Pasto Vulcanology Observatory it's not serious," Garcia said.
"However, we have to follow the entire protocol, which the inhabitants of the high-risk area know very well," he added.
He said the 400 000 residents of Pasto have been "specially advised to stock up with water, gas masks and flashlights".
The 4 276-metre active volcano, which overlooks Pasto, began erupting early on Friday morning.
It last erupted in 1992, 1993, 2004 and 2006. In 1993, Galeras killed nine people.
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