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Belching Vanuatu volcano may blow, forces 7,000 to flee

Belching Vanuatu volcano may blow, forces 7,000 to flee | iNFOnews.ca
This Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017 photo provided by the New Zealand Defense Force, shows huge columns of smoke, ash and volcanic rocks billowing from the crater of an erupting volcano on Vanuatu's Ambae Island. The erupting volcano has forced 6,000 people to flee their homes on the island of Ambae in Vanuatu where the volcano has been active since 2005, but a recent increase in activity has raised fears of a major eruption. (New Zealand Defense Force via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A rumbling, belching volcano that’s threatening to blow has forced more than 7,000 people to flee their homes and authorities to declare an emergency on an island in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu.

The Manaro volcano on Ambae island has long been active, but a recent increase in activity has raised fears of a major eruption. About 10,000 people live on the island, and villagers close to the volcano have been moved to schools and community halls on the island’s less vulnerable eastern and western regions.

Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office Director Shadrack Welegtabit said Wednesday a ship had arrived earlier in in the day carrying food, water and other essential supplies. He said a second ship was due to arrive Friday.

Vanuatu is home to about 280,000 people.

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