Colombia’s Galeras volcano erupts; scores evacuate from homes

Colombians evacuated as Galeras volcano erupts

BOGOTA, Colombia — The Galeras volcano is erupting in southwestern Colombia, forcing scores of people to evacuate from their homes.

Marta Calvache of Colombia’s Geology and Mining Institute says a burst of gases, ash and vapor rose from the volcano at about 4 a.m. (0900 GMT) on Wednesday. The mountain’s peak is 14,029 feet (4,276 meters) above sea level.

Carlos Ivan Marquez of the Colombian Red Cross says 278 people have evacuated from the area around the volcano.

He says so far there are no reports of damage.