Ash blanketed the Comoros capital yesterday after the Indian Ocean archipelago's Mount Karthala erupted, spewing smoke and cinders over the nation's main island of Grand Comore, witnesses and officials said.
There was no immediate sign that the eruption late on Thursday had resulted in potentially devastating lava flows, but authorities announced precautions to deal with health hazards caused by the ash and possible gas emissions.
Schools and markets were closed until further notice, according to a statement from the education ministry, and UN personnel on Grand Comore were advised to prepare for any eventuality, including possible evacuation.
Well after dawn, the sun was still not visible in Moroni, about 40km southwest of Mount Karthala, and the few people venturing outside covered their noses and mouths with cloth to avoid inhaling the ash, witnesses said.
Thursday's explosion at the summit of the the 2,361m volcano was Mount Karthala's second non-magma eruption of the year.
In April, nearly 10,000 villagers in the shadow of the mountain fled their homes after ash from the last eruption sparked widespread fears of drinking water contamination among Grand Comore's 350,000 residents.
RSS