An active volcano in the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent threatens to erupt, the territory’s authorities warned Thursday, noting that they have ordered mandatory evacuations.

Faced with the red alert, the Mexican embassy in Saint Lucia reported that all nationals will be able to access the help of the authorities if necessary.

For this, it is essential that you contact the telephone number of Protection of Mexicans from the embassy, ​​where they will give you their support according to your emergency. The number is: +1758 285 5350.

Through their social networks, the embassy staff warned society, specifically Mexicans who may reside or be visiting the island, about the possible eruption of the La Soufriere volcano, and the consequent evacuation.

“Mexico, as the Presidency of #CELAC, reiterates its solidarity and willingness to support, if necessary, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Caribbean Community @CARICOMorg, regarding the emergency caused by the La Soufriere volcano”, wrote from the account of the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States

Through a statement, authorities from both countries alerted the population about the possible eruption (Photo: Reuters)

Through a statement, authorities from both countries alerted the population about the possible eruption.

The island’s emergency management office changed the alert level to red as authorities began evacuating people living near the La Soufriere volcano to place them soon on cruise ships, send them to nearby islands or transfer them to shelters in other parts of San Vicente, away from danger.

Approximately 16,000 people live in the red alert zone and must be evacuated, commented to The Associated Press Erouscilla Joseph, director of the Center for Seismic Research at the University of the West Antilles.

Nevertheless, the coronavirus pandemic could affect evacuation maneuvers.

The first Minister Ralph Gonsalves said at a press conference that people have to be vaccinated if you board a cruise ship or receive temporary shelter on other neighboring islands. Among the islands that have said they would accept evacuees are Saint Lucia, Grenada, Barbados and Antigua.

Joseph said that emergency management teams have gone to the communities located in the danger zone and they have provided transportation to safer places, including prearranged shelters.

“They know who has no way to get around because all of this has been probed beforehand,” Joseph said, adding that those who board the cruise will not be transferred to other places, but will stay there for an unspecified period of time.

At dusk you could see the glow of the volcano's dome (Photo: Reuters)

At dusk you could see the glow of the volcano’s dome.

Government officials tweeted that at dusk you could see the glow of the volcano dome, which is located in the northern region of the island. The alert was issued Thursday after days of seismic activity in the area around La Soufriere.

Scientists alerted the government to a possible eruption after they detected a specific type of seismic activity on Thursday at 3 am, an indication that “magma was moving near the surface,” Joseph said.

A team from the seismic center arrived in San Vicente at the end of December after the volcano had an effusive type eruption. They have been analyzing the formation of a new volcanic dome and changes in its crater lake, as well as seismic activity and gas emissions, among other things.

The previous eruption of the volcano occurred in 1979, and a previous one in 1902 caused the death of about 1,600 people.

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