Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Volcanic eruption in Vanuatu forces evacuation of 300 people

Posted at 03:50 on 26 November, 2009 UTC

More than 300 people are being evacuated from an island in the north of Vanuatu as gas and ash from volcanic eruptions are drifting on to three villages.

The government has sent the paramilitary mobile forces and the Vanuatu Red Cross Society to monitor the evacuation from the west of the island of Gaua in Torba province.

The volcano has been erupting since September but several recent minor eruptions have increased the volume of gas and ash which has been carried by a strong wind.

The director of the National Disaster Management Office, Job Esau, says people in the area have been suffering from respiratory problems, diarrhoea and skin irritation.

He says the water supply has also been affected and people want to leave

“They are happy and they have been affected so much, especially on the western part of the island, they are now prepared and concerned that they want to move out, and allow the activity to continue. They want to go to a safe area.”

Job Esau says people are being relocated by boat to the eastern side of Gaua over the next few days.

He says they are monitoring the volcano and there are plans in place to evacuate the entire island if necessary.