Andean eruption destroys villages

Showers of incandescent rock and lava from a volcanic eruption in Ecuador’s Andes mountains destroyed nearby villages, killing at least one resident and sending thousands fleeing.

Ecuadorian officials said they feared the death toll from the eruption of the Tungurahua volcano could rise because 60 people remained missing yesterday after the eruption smothered houses, damaged access roads and blocked the flow of three rivers.