The Llaima volcano spews smoke and lava, some 850 km (528 miles) south of Santiago Jan. 2, 2008. The Llaima volcano in southern Chile erupted on Tuesday, sending up a huge plume of smoke and coating the surrounding wilderness park with ash, but there were no reports of damages or injuries, emergency officials said.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    SANTIAGO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- 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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