Calbuco volcano erupts in Chile for third time in two weeks prompting further evacuations

Activity on one of Chile's most dangerous volcanoes continues

(MARIO RUIZ/epa)

The Calbuco volcano has erupted for the third time in two weeks, sending dark bursts of ash billowing 2.5 miles into the air and prompting Chilean officials to order a new evacuation of nearby residents.

Thick clouds came boiling out of the 6,500 foot (2,000 metre) cone, which has brought the threat of more heavy ash falling over villagers who are already struggling to clear up from the two huge blasts last week.

"We were working, cleaning the ash and sand from our homes when this third eruption took place. I feel so much anger and impotence it just breaks me apart," Horacio Camano, 43, said after being forced to evacuate the town of Ensenada with his family.

"There are no words for having to live this over again — having our families worried about us, all phones collapsed. I just want this to calm down so we can return home."

(CARLOS VERA/AFP)

These eruptions, from what is one of three of Chile’s most dangerous active volcanoes, are the first to take place in almost 50 years. Since Calbuco roared back into life on 22 April, more than 4,500 people have been evacuated from the surrounding area.

Alejandro Verjes, the regional emergency director of the Los Lagos region which covers Calbuco, said last week that the eruption was a "surprise" and the volcano had not been under observation.

(FRANCISCO NEGRONI/EPA)

"This latest eruption is much smaller than the other two," Deputy Interior Minister Mahmud Aleuy said in a press conference.

"We're talking about a plume that is about 4 kilometers and that is directed toward the southern part of the volcano, so we shouldn't have major problems except for those who live in the south of the volcano and who will be hit by ash."

(MARIO RUIZ/EPA)

The director of the National Mining and Geology service said that new eruptions greater than those last week are not expected. But he warned that rains, which are expected to fall beginning on Friday, could lead to devastating volcanic mud, known as lahars, which are capable of levelling anything in their path once in motion.

(IVAN ALVARADO/Reuters)

"Lahars are possible if we get heavy rains, so it's still a concern," said Rodrigo Alvarez, the head of the service. "This emission should begin to weaken in the coming hours and we'll have new forecasts. For now we remain on high alert."

AP