Thousands of people have been evacuated after a volcano in Chile erupted for the first time in 42 years spewing ash across the surrounding area. The Calbuco volcano in the south of the country erupted on Wednesday, forcing authorities to relocate 1, inhabitants of the nearby town of Ensenada and two other smaller communities.
While a huge column of ash was emitted from Calbuco, eyewitnesses said no lava or hot rocks had been observed. The education department closed schools in the affected area and flights to Puerto Montt, a nearby city, have been cancelled. Last month saw another smaller eruption in Chile. The government has sent water to the region, in case local supplies become contaminated with ash, and police and the military have been deployed to assist with evacuations.
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