The small island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to the east Caribbean, was covered with a thin layer of ash and a “strong sulfur smell” was in the air yesterday, Saturday, a day after the spectacular eruption of a volcano which for decades was inactive.
The eruption of La Soufrier volcano sent black ash clouds about 10 km into the air, causing residents to move away from nearby areas.
Voice is still heard from the volcano with ash covering roofs, cars and streets in Kingstown, the capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
An eyewitness to Reuters in the town of Rabaka, about two kilometers from the volcano, said the ground was covered with about 30cm of ash and rock fragments from the eruption. Ash clouds overshadow the sun giving the sky a gloomy twilight view.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonzalez said it was unclear how much more ash the volcano could release, adding that more than 3,200 people were now in shelters.
“All I ask of everyone is calm,” Gonzalves told reporters during a visit to a shelter.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, home to just over 100,000 people, has been experiencing volcanic activity since 1979, when an eruption caused about $ 100 million in damage. The La Soufrier eruption in 1902 killed at least 1,000 people.
In an announcement issued at 10.00 am. local time (17:00 Greek time) the National Emergency Management Agency reported that “steam / smoke” from the volcano had risen in the past few hours, warning those living near the site to be ready to “leave at the last minute” ”.
Earlier, the service reported on its Facebook page that “a strong smell of sulfur diffuses into the air” and called on residents to be careful.
Authorities say they are awaiting the scientific findings before announcing any further steps.
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