Chile Evacuates Volcano Eruption Victims

The volcano, situated in Chile's southern Lake District, erupted after lying dormant for more than half a century,

It spewed a mushroom cloud so thick and extensive that could reach the nation's capital Santiago by Friday.

Residents were allowed to go back to the worst-affected town of Ensenada, 10 kilometers away from the volcano.

However, they had to be in cars and wore masks, as the volcano's emission has been lessening.

All the roads and houses have all been covered by volcanic debris and ash, and some houses were even damaged.

A family resort owner Fernanado said he suffered great losses from the eruptions, as the houses and land were all ruined and he has to transfer the horses and goats he raises to the pasture of his friend down the mountain.

Clothes and food donations

"The most realistic thing I can do now is to sell these animals at highest prices as I can do, or to just slaughter them. But the greatest loss for me is that the land has been devalued by the volcanic ash. Also as it is a tourist area here, so the result of these eruptions can be devastating for us," said Fernando.

Most residents in the town were evacuated to two relocation sites in Puerto Varas Town, 50 kilometers away from the volcano.

According to Manual, who is in charge of one site from Puerto Varas, said that they have 171 residents living in their site so far and offer aid and help to about 120 people living nearby.

 The site can receive 600 people at most, and the other standby site has been well-prepared in case of more eruptions.

"We supply aid on food and accommodation and also collect information of all the relocated families. We also provide psychological nursing, childcare and social medical care," said Manual.

He added that they have many volunteers to help them, together with clothes and food donated by residents, which would further complete the condition of the site.

The ash cloud led to the closing of five border crossings with neighboring Argentina, whose Andean resort town of Bariloche reported falling ash.

Chile's national geologic service said the situation could be aggravated over the coming hours, following the emission of lava and incandescent rocks during the second eruption.

By Musalia Wycliffe

Source: Reuters