Around 1,500 people were forced to abandon their homes on Monday as the biggest eruption of Pico do Fogo in decades has now destroyed two villages and threatens a forest reserve on the island.
Fogo island aerial view CC-by-SA AldoBien
The villagers had to flee before the lava flow reached the villages of Portela and Bangeira on Fogo Island, according to fire brigade chief, Arlindo Lima. Lima said the lava front was more than 500 meters (547 yards) north of the outlying houses in Bangeira a week ago, and has now swept over much of the village as it moves forward. Portela was also destroyed.
1,000 people were also evacuated from the Cha das Caldeiras region at the foot of the volcano, immediately after the eruption started on November 23. The airport was closed due to clouds of ash in the skies.
While volcanic activity is rare on the island, an expert, Bruno Faria, told the local Radio Cape Verde that the initial blast from Pico do Fogo was much greater than that in 1995, which showered the island with ash.
Interior Minister, Maria Morais, told the radio station that the eruption was very fast and that the government is appealing to the people for calm.
The volcano, Pico do Fogo, had quietened down for four days following the initial eruption, but started to blow again over the last weekend.
Now authorities are worried about the Monte Velho forest reserve, lying in the path of the lava flow and have warned villagers in Fonsaco to prepared to leave.
Speaking of the demise of Portela and Bangeira, a local journalist, Arlinda Neves, said the volcano has claimed a "whole local economy and a way of life" in the space of only 22 days.
As some of the buildings in those villages dated back to the 1860s, Neves added, "It's more than a century and a half of history that has literally been wiped out."
Screengrab from video footage obtained by AFP from TCV (Televisão de Cabo Verde)
Sources: Earthsky
Daily Mail
