Volcano unleashes column of ashes and gases

An explosion inside the ever-smouldering summit of western Mexico’s Volcano of Fire sent ash and gases nearly three miles into the sky late yesterday, but did not cause any immediate evacuations.

Authorities said the eruption, which occurred shortly before 6.30pm local time (11.30pm Irish Time) was not as large as several spectacular explosions the volcano unleashed last month, but was still stronger than a July 1999 blast that sent glowing rock down its slopes and a plume of ash five miles skyward.