Caribbean volcano blows; thousands flee
A massive volcano erupted on St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the eastern Caribbean Friday, officials said, sending a giant cloud of smoke into the air as thousands hunkered down in shelters or fled on boats.
The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center confirmed the volcano’s first eruption since 1979 at 8:41 a.m. on the nation’s main island, a day after authorities warned an explosion could be imminent and urged residents to get out of the danger zone however they could.
“The place is in a frenzy,” said Lavern King, who was making her way back to a shelter as black smoke darkened the sky. “People are still getting out of the red zone at this time.”
The La Soufriere volcano began showing signs of activity in late December 2020, when scientists observed a lava dome forming, an early indication of an impending eruption. Since then, the island chain has been on alert, with the public advised to stay away from the volcano. An eruption in 1902 killed over 1,600 people, while another in 1979 gave residents a scare but resulted in no deaths.
There were no immediate reports of injuries Friday on the islands, home to about 110,000 people, around 7,000 of which reside in areas located within the evacuation zone, officials said.
Elizabeth Riley, executive director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, said Friday morning that she had received reports that 49 government shelters were occupied with 1,827 evacuees. Another 600 people were moved out by boat.