Ecuador evacuates thousands of people, closes airports due to volcanic eruption
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| The volcano known as Tungurahua spews ash and rock during an eruption in Banos, some 170km south west from Quito, May 28, 2010. Ecuadorean villagers fled their homes after the Andean nation's "Throat of Fire" volcano erupted on Friday, spewing columns of ash that forced officials to reroute some flights, authorities said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
QUITO, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian authorities on Friday closed the airport in the country's largest and most populated city Guayaquil and ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents due to a volcanic eruption in the South American country.
Earlier, the General Direction of Civil Aviation (DAC) halted the domestic flight between Quito and Cuenca and the international flight between Lima and Quito due to the ash emission of the Tungurahua Volcano.
The DAC said in a statement that the airports were closed for operational security, but there are alternative routes for the planes to take off or land without problem. Full story
Guatemala closes airport for volcanic eruption
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| Volcanic ash blankets the airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on Friday. Pacaya volcano erupted on May 27 killing journalist Anibal Archila who was reporting for local news Noti7. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
GUATEMALA CITY, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The international airport of La Aurora in Guatemala City was closed due to the increase of the Pacaya Volcano's eruption, the Civil Aviation Direction said on Friday.
The volcanic ash totally covered the roads, the ramps and the hangars, with a thickness of two centimeters. Full story
At least 1 killed, 3 missing in Guatemala volcanic eruptions
GUATEMALA CITY, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The eruption of Pacaya Volcano left one person dead, 59 injured and three others missing, said Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom on Friday.
The volcano, located in San Vicente Pacaya town, some 45 km south of Guatemalan capital Guatemala City, threw up on Thursday night gases, ashes and incandescent rocks in the biggest eruption in the country in 12 years, the president told a press conference. Full story
