Explosive eruption rocks volcano on Caribbean island St Vincent

The eastern Caribbean is home to other active volcanoes (Chris Jackson/PA)

An explosive eruption has rocked La Soufriere volcano on the eastern Caribbean island of St Vincent following mandatory evacuation orders from the local government.

Erouscilla Joseph, director of the University of the West Indies Seismic Centre, said the ash column rose as high as 10 kilometres (six miles).