BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Landslides triggered by a volcanic eruption injured nine people and destroyed more than 20 homes and five bridges in southwest Colombia, prompting a red alert for more activity.
President Alvaro Uribe flew with disaster officials over the volcano Friday, and ordered the air force to create an "air bridge" to supply cut off towns along the Rio Paez.
The Geological and Mining Institute of Colombia said a red alert was in effect for the area around the Nevado del Huila volcano, about 177 miles (285 kms) southwest of Bogota, which more eruptions could be imminent. Thursday night's eruptions loosed mud and ash that triggered landslides about 15 minutes later, said seismological expert Gil Fernando Cruz. |