Volcano erupts in southern Chile, belching ash, smoke into sky

2015-04-23 07:30

By (Agencies)

Volcano erupts in southern Chile, belching ash, smoke into sky

Smoke and ash rise from the Calbuco volcano, seen from Puerto Varas city, south of Santiago, April 22, 2015. Volcano Calbuco in southern Chile erupted for the first time in more than five decades on Wednesday, sending a thick plume of ash and smoke several kilometres into the sky. [Photo/Agencies]

SANTIAGO - Volcano Calbuco in southern Chile erupted for the first time in more than five decades on Wednesday, sending a thick plume of ash and smoke several kilometers into the sky.

Chile's Onemi emergency office declared a red alert following the sudden eruption at around 1800 local time (2100 GMT), which occurred about 1,000 km (625 miles) south of the capital Santiago near the tourist town of Puerto Varas.