Ecuador’s government is urging four villages to evacuate because of increased activity in the Tungurahua volcano not far from the country’s capital.

The Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador is billowing ash into the sky and sending super-hot pyroclastic flows surging down its slopes, causing authorities to evacuate nearby villages.

Peru was today rushing aid to its southern cities and towns after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake toppled homes and killed at least 71 people, leaving thousands too terrified to return home amid recurring aftershocks.

At least 47 people were killed as a powerful earthquake shook southern Peru, sending dozens of homes, churches and buildings tumbling to the ground.