This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7167639.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Chile volcano forces evacuations Chile volcano forces evacuations
(about 14 hours later)
A volcano has erupted in southern Chile, leading to some 150 people being evacuated from the immediate area. Rescue workers in southern Chile have evacuated a further 54 tourists and staff after the eruption of a volcano.
The Llaima volcano, about 650 km (400 miles) south of the capital, Santiago, produced a huge column of smoke, and threw out lava and ash. Hundreds of residents and tourists have fled the area since Tuesday, when the Llaima volcano began producing a huge column of smoke and spewing lava.
Officials say further evacuations from local villages may be necessary. Airport officials in neighbouring Argentina have suspended flights due to poor visibility caused by the ash.
The volcano last had a major eruption in 1994 and is said to be one of the country's most active, with frequent, but moderate eruptions. Llaima last had a major eruption in 1994 and is said to be one of the country's most active volcanoes.
The people evacuated were visiting the Conguillio National Park where the volcano is located, said Carmen Fernandez, the director of Chile's National Emergency Office. It is situated in the Conguillio National Park, about 650 km (400 miles) south of the capital, Santiago.
"An eruption occurred at the Llaima volcano, with a column of smoke of approximately 3,000 metres (9,800ft) at 1800 (2100 GMT). It is rising rapidly; there have been emissions of ash," she said. Further eruptions
"We don't know what the volcano will do next," she said, adding all nearby villages and towns have been put on alert for possible evacuations. Those rescued on Wednesday had been stranded overnight after a swollen river cut off road access.
Experts were flying over the volcano to determine the extent of the eruption, she also said. "Army personnel evacuated 43 people this morning who remained in the Conguillio National Park. Another 11 people, park personnel and their family members, were also evacuated," Chile's National Emergency Office said.
There are fears of further eruptions.
"At this moment I would recommend against tourism in the area," said Carmen Fernandez, the emergency agency's director.
The volcano erupted on Tuesday at 1800 (2100 GMT), sending a column of smoke approximately 3,000m (9,800ft) into the air, as lava flowed down the 3,125m east slope.