Tens of thousands flee volcanic eruption on St. Vincent island

Synopsis

Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated from the area around La Soufrière volcano on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent after it began erupting on Friday. The volcano, which had been dormant for decades, started showing signs of activity in December 2020. The eruption has sent smoke and ash high into the air, creating an ash cloud that obscures the sun and has led to flight cancellations. Over 16,000 residents living near the volcano are ordered to leave for their safety by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. Evacuation efforts face challenges, as many residents queue for minibuses, but there are not enough vehicles available. Some locals resort to boarding ferries at night to neighboring islands like Dominica, Grenada, and Antigua, which agree to accept evacuees, but only those vaccinated against COVID-19. Shelters on St. Vincent also limit admissions to prevent outbreaks. Scientists from the University of the West Indies warn that the volcanic activity could continue for days or weeks.