Chaiten Volcano erupts

On 19 February 2009 Volcano Chaiten in southern Chile erupted, following earlier eruptions in May 2008.150 local residents from the town of Chaiten, 10km south of the volcano, have been evacuated. Further eruptions cannot be ruled out and the Chilean authorities are on full alert in the area. If you are in the vicinity of the volcano, or if you are planning to travel to the area , you should follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media for developments.