SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Authorities in El Salvador evacuated an area around the Chaparrastique volcano after the peak shot a cloud of gas and ash about three miles into the air on Sunday.
Civil Defense Director Jorge Melendez said a yellow alert had been issued and investigators had been sent to the area to look for signs of fresh lava, but that none has been detected so far.
“We have implemented emergency measures to evacuate villages located within 3 kilometers of the volcano,” Melendez said.
Shelters have been set up for the evacuees, but Melendez said some inhabitants had been loath to leave their homes.