SANTIAGO, Chile — Twin blasts from the Calbuco volcano in southern Chile have sent vast clouds of ash into the sky, increasing concerns that it could contaminate water, cause respiratory illnesses and ground more flights.
The volcano erupted Wednesday afternoon, sending a towering plume of ash more than 6 miles into the air.
Emergency officials were taken by surprise and had only a few minutes to issue an alert.
Calbuco had another spectacular outburst early Thursday, lightning crackling through a dark sky lit orangish red by the explosion.
As the ash cloud spread, “people went into a state of panic,” said Miguel Silva Diaz, 28, an engineer who lives in Puerto Montt, a city about 14 miles from the volcano.
“Then, at around 1 a.m., I heard a loud noise, as if somebody had detonated an atomic bomb,” he said.
No injuries were reported. Authorities evacuated 4,000 people. President Michelle Bachelet declared a state of emergency.
The Chilean national geology and mining service warned that residents should prepare for an imminent third, and “even more aggressive eruption.”
The 6,500-foot Calbuco last erupted in 1972 and is considered one of the three most dangerous among Chile’s 90 active volcanos.
