Thousands evacuated as volcano erupts in Columbia

Waking from a nap that may have lasted thousands of years, the Nevado del Huila volcano in Colombia erupted late yesterday and early today, provoking avalanches and floodings that swept away houses and bridges and prompted the evacuation of thousands, authorities said.

“The best news, up to now, is that we have no reports of injuries or deaths, Luz Amanda Pulido, director of the national disaster office, said after flying over the towering volcano located in south-west Colombia.

“There’s ten thousand people in the zone, of which we’ve already evacuated 3,500.” The first eruption occurred 10.37pm yesterday (3.37am Irish time today), the second at 2.57am (7.57 Irish time) today.

Experts did not rule out further eruptions.

“The seismic activity remains light but permanent, and we can’t rule out another bigger event in the next hours or days,” said Mario Ballesteros, director of the government’s Institute for Geology and Mining.

The rivers Paez and Simbola, clogged with the avalanche of rocks, continue to be swollen.