CFCA news

Thousands evacuated after Ecuador volcano erupts

May 29, 2010

Residents of seven villages in Ecuador were evacuated after the Tungurahua volcano erupted Friday. CFCA was awaiting reports from Ecuador to determine how many sponsored members may have been affected. More than 3,500 children, youth and aging persons are sponsored in Ecuador through a project in Guayaquil.

Guayaquil schools were closed and the airport was shut down as the volcano’s 6-mile-high ash cloud moves over the country.

The Tungurahua volcano, known as the “Throat of Fire” in the native Quechua language, is about 90 miles south of Quito and one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world.

Tungurahua was the second volcano in Latin America to erupt this week. The Pacaya volcano in Guatemala erupted on Thursday, killing a journalist and two villagers. It erupted again Friday morning. Thousands of residents in Guatemala City and surrounding areas were evacuated, classes were canceled and the Guatemala City airport was closed. There were no reports of injuries to sponsored members in Guatemala.