Colombians evacuate as volcano threatens eruption

Authorities have demanded the evacuation of nearly 9,000 residents close to Colombia’s most active volcano after the geological institute said an eruption may be days or weeks away.

The Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining, working with scientific teams in United States, Ecuador and Germany, raised to level two the status of the Galeras volcano following increased activity in the volcano’s core.

“I trust the scientists and my feeling is that this could be a big eruption,” said Fabio Trujillo, acting governor of the department of Narino, home to the volcano.

“We are appealing to the common-sense of the people to leave the area of danger and so save their lives.”