Dozens of Chileans Flee
Due to Volcano Eruption
Dozens of Chilean
residents abandoned
their houses Wednesday
in towns close to Llaima
volcano in southern
Chile as it continued to
emit lava and ash.
The volcano at least
erupted 60 times from
Tuesday to Wednesday,
while there were no
immediate reports of
casualties or damage,
officials said.
President Michelle
Bachelet Wednesday
praised the response of
officials and emergency
organizations to the
volcano eruption.
"From the first moment,
the Interior Ministry as
well as regional
officials have made
necessary decisions," he
said.
The 3,125-meter Llaima
volcano, locating some
650 kilometers south of
the Chilean capital
Santiago, started
erupting on Tuesday
afternoon.
The Argentine towns of
Zapala, Los Catutos and
Mariano Moreno in
neighboring regions of
the volcano are now
under preventive alert.
Argentine officials have
asked some 50,000
inhabitants of the towns
to stay indoors and
avoid outdoor
activities.
Llaima is one of Chile's
most active volcanoes.
Chile, after Indonesia,
has the world's second
biggest and second most
active chain of
volcanoes.
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