In the coastal town of Barrouallie, about 14km (nine miles) from the volcano, evacuees trudged towards shelters carrying backpacks, duffel bags and shopping bags stuffed with personal belongings after the explosion. Some prepared to stay there, while others were expected to board cruise ships or go to nearby islands that have offered help.
The volcano last erupted on April 13, 1979, and a previous eruption in 1902 killed some 1,600 people.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said roughly 2,000 people were staying in the 20 shelters the government had opened [File: Andres Martinez Casares/Reuters]The new eruption followed mandatory evacuation orders issued on Thursday for the roughly 16,000 people who live in the red zone near the volcano in the island’s northern region. Roughly 2,000 people were staying in the 20 shelters the government had opened, Gonsalves said in a press conference.
Empty cruise ships are scheduled to arrive at the eastern Caribbean island of Saint Vincent on Friday to help transport thousands of people evacuated under the fiery glow of La Soufriere volcano which officials said could erupt at any moment.
Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves said the island was on red alert after a shift in volcanic activity at the crater of La Soufriere and told residents in northern areas to move to safety immediately.
“I have issued an evacuation order to all residents living in the RED ZONES on the North East and the North West of the island,” he wrote in a tweet late on Thursday.
More explosions expected on heels of La Soufriere eruption jamaicaobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jamaicaobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
La Soufriere volcano erupts on St Vincent in the Caribbean usatoday.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from usatoday.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Kingstown – As of 8:41 a.m. this morning, April 9, 2021 an explosive eruption began at the La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent, according to the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Cenre.
This is a culmination of the seismic activity that began on April 8. The eruption is ongoing and more information will be shared as things progress.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves yesterday issued an evacuation order as activity at the volcano intensified.
(NEMO/UWI)