St Vincent’s Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar told Nation News a short while ago that the majority of the 11 000 people within the red zone have been evacuated after the order was given by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves around 2 p.m. on Thursday.
He added that it is now a case of picking up any stragglers and taking them to safety.
The order to evacuate was given after acitivity at La Soufriere Volcano intensified from early yesterday and scientists said an eruption was possible at anytime.
Caesar confirmed that the La Soufriere volcano erupted explosively just after 8 a.m. today, sending massive clouds of ash billowing into the air.
“We targeted 11 000 and we got the majority of the people out, everybody who wanted to move had the opportunity to move. We have already started to get ash fall and this has begun to severely reduce visibility, but the opportunity is there for anyone remaining in the red zone to move.
“Now that this has gone explosive, we now must ramp up the efforts to salvage any equipment and property in the red zone.
Caesar noted that thunderous sounds that accompanied the explosion did cause some panic among Vincentians but for the most part persons are now in “prayerful and reflective mood”.
We are getting an overwhelming amount of support from overseas; family members abroad are chipping in to see how they can assist. These are difficult times, but we will get through it,” he said. (Colville Mounsey)
