Published: December 18,2014
A
powerful volcanic eruption at Pico do Fogo volcano on the island of
Fogo, Cape Verde, destroyed two villages and forced the evacuation of
1,500 people, Cape Verde officials said.
Sky News reports that the volcano first erupted on November 23, at which point, 1,000 residents of Chã das Caldeiras -- comprised of two villages, Portela and Bangaeira at the base of the volcano -- evacuated.
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Little happened at Pico do Fogo for four days following the first eruption, so many island residents thought the volcanic activity might have stopped. But the volcano erupted again, spewing lava onto both Portela and Bangaeira, destroying the villages.
"The lava front, [which was] more than 500 metres [547 yards] north of outlying houses in Bangeira a week ago, has swept over much of the village and continues to move forward," the island's fire brigade chief Arlindo Lima said Monday.
Luckily, the 1,500 residents of the villages had evacuated ahead of the lava, preventing certain death.
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As the AFP reports, more people could be in the path of the lava flow in the days to come. Officials have reportedly warned residents of Fonsaco village that they will likely need to evacuate if the lava continues its approach.
The wire service reports that Pico do Fogo hasn't erupted this violently since 1995.
Sky News reports that the volcano first erupted on November 23, at which point, 1,000 residents of Chã das Caldeiras -- comprised of two villages, Portela and Bangaeira at the base of the volcano -- evacuated.
(MORE: California Still Moving After Earthquake)
Little happened at Pico do Fogo for four days following the first eruption, so many island residents thought the volcanic activity might have stopped. But the volcano erupted again, spewing lava onto both Portela and Bangaeira, destroying the villages.
"The lava front, [which was] more than 500 metres [547 yards] north of outlying houses in Bangeira a week ago, has swept over much of the village and continues to move forward," the island's fire brigade chief Arlindo Lima said Monday.
Luckily, the 1,500 residents of the villages had evacuated ahead of the lava, preventing certain death.
(MORE: Satellites Spot Dramatic Changes on Earth)
As the AFP reports, more people could be in the path of the lava flow in the days to come. Officials have reportedly warned residents of Fonsaco village that they will likely need to evacuate if the lava continues its approach.
The wire service reports that Pico do Fogo hasn't erupted this violently since 1995.
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