Hot Chile Volcano Erupts

(Conguillio National Park, Chile) Located approximately 400 miles south of Santiago, the 10,000-foot Llaima volcano has erupted, prompting the evacuation of 150 tourists and National Forest Service employees.

Remaining isolated in the park are 53 people and emergency workers plan a helicopter evacuation.

Authorities stated that no populated areas have been affected by the eruption thus far. Nonetheless,

Hundreds of people in the town of Melipeuco, the closest to the volcano, left their homes and spent the night in the open or at two shelters opened by authorities as a series of strong explosions from the volcano rocked the area during the night.

According to Carmen Fernandez of Chile's Emergency Bureau, buses and Army trucks have been sent to Melipeuco (pop. 5,000) just in case they are needed for evacuation.

Minister of Interior Belisario Velasco stated that the local emergency committee is monitoring the situation and measures have been taken to act, if necessary.