ONEMI: Lava flow from Llaima volcano reaches 800 meters

SANTIAGO.- Following the reactivation of the Llaima volcano today at approximately 4 AM, the director of the National Emergency Office (ONEMI), Carmén Fernández, announced that the lava flow runoff has currently reached almost 800 meters away.

The ONEMI director, who was informed of the situation just before 4AM this morning, stated that the direction of the lava flow places the towns of La Selva and Danubio at most risk, due to the fact that they are located only 10 to 12 kilometers from the crater – which is within the primary emergency radius that has been declared.

Nevertheless, Fernández stressed that perhaps more daunting than the fact that these towns are within the projected line of lava flow, is the fact that they are under continuous watch for possible flooding, although the villages have yet to be evacuated.

Evacuations have been underway, however, in the town of Los Lleuques, where 12 people were removed from the area.