St Vincent awaits new volcanic explosions as help arrives

Ash rises into the air as La Soufriere volcano erupts on the eastern Caribbean island of St Vincent (Kepa Diez Ara/AP)

Cots, tents, and respirator masks poured into the eastern Caribbean island of St Vincent after a powerful explosion at La Soufriere volcano uprooted the lives of thousands of people who evacuated their homes under government orders.

Nations ranging from Antigua to Guyana offered help by either shipping emergency supplies to their neighbour or agreeing to temporarily open their borders to the roughly 16,000 evacuees fleeing ash-covered communities with as many personal belongings as they could stuff into suitcases and backpacks.