Chilean volcano woke up after half a century

3,500 people had to evacuate because the Puyehue volcano in southern Chile suddenly woke up for the first time in 50 years.

Black smoke rises from Puyenhue volcano. Photo: AFP.

Large pillars of smoke rose from Puyehue volcano, 800 kilometers south of Santiago, yesterday. Earlier, more than 10 earthquakes were recorded in this area.

Chilean authorities have issued a red warning, the highest level in the region. 3,500 were forced to evacuate to safe places. There is no information about the injured person yet.

However, volcanic smog to the city of Bariloche in Argentina, about 80 km east of Puyehue. Officials here recommend that people stay inside. The airport of the city is also closed due to volcanic dust.

The witness Juli Kessler told the BBC that she saw " dark clouds surrounding the Andes and volcanic dust flooding the ground".

This is the first time since 1960 this volcano wakes up again. Chile is one of the countries most affected by volcanoes.