1 May 2015

Evacuation after third eruption

11:32 am on 1 May 2015

Chile's Calbuco volcano has erupted for the third time in eight days, leading the government to order the evacuation of 2500 people.

A night shot - from Frutillar, southern Chile - shows lava, ash and lightning caused by the volcano on 23 April.

A night shot - from Frutillar, southern Chile - shows lava, ash and lightning caused by Calbuco on 23 April. Photo: AFP

Some of those residents had only just returned to their homes after last week's eruptions.

The latest eruption was less powerful, but sent a large plume of dark grey smoke and ash rising from the crater.

Calbuco surprised residents of the Los Lagos region last week by bursting into life after 54 years of inactivity.

The National Geology and Mines Service issued a red alert after the most recent eruption, warning that the volcano remained unstable.

The BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago said that, while the ash last week was blown in a north-easterly direction, this time it is drifting south-east over the town of Cochamo.

The town has been blanketed in a cloud of smoke and ash.

Calbuco is one of the most active volcanoes in Chile, having erupted in 1961 and 1972, and many times before that.

Last week's eruptions caused the cancellation of flights to and within Chile, and forced farmers in the area to evacuate their livestock.

-BBC

Chile's Calbuco volcano has erupted again, releasing a large column of ash - one week after it roared back to life.

The volcano erupted again this week, releasing a large column of ash. Before last week, it had been dormant for 54 years. Photo: AFP

Local residents remove ashes from a street in La Ensenada after last week's eruption.

Local residents remove ashes from a street in La Ensenada after last week's eruption. Photo: AFP

A view of Calbuco from Puerto Montt, southern Chile, on 22 April.

A view of Calbuco from Puerto Montt, southern Chile, on 22 April. Photo: AFP

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