La Soufriere volcano erupts in the Caribbean

The Caribbean island of Saint Vincent was shaken by the explosive eruption of the La Soufriere volcano, which threw ash clouds several kilometers high into the air and forced thousands of people to flee the island.

The National Emergency Management Organization warned residents and urged them to leave the surrounding areas, and reported that the ash plume had reached a height of 6 km.

Heavy ash fallout has also been reported in the vicinity.

“The great La Soufriere woke up in all his terrifying rage,” say the residents.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves on Thursday issued a mandatory evacuation order for some 1,600 people living in the northern part of the island.

The evacuation continued on Friday, although heavy ash made the process difficult as visibility was “extremely poor”.

The footage posted on social media shows evacuees carrying suitcases and bags wandering streets strewn with thick gray ash.

In the coastal town of Barrualli, about 14 km from the volcano, evacuees trudged to shelters with backpacks, gym bags and shopping bags stuffed with personal belongings after the explosion.

Four cruise ships are expected to arrive on the island – two from Royal Caribbean and two from Carnival Cruise Line – to ferry evacuees to nearby islands or refuge elsewhere in Saint Vincent.

The third Royal Caribbean ship is expected to arrive in the coming days.

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