By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 9th April 2021) — The island of St. Vincent has declared a red alert and issued an evacuation order after seismologists warned that the La Soufrière volcano shows signs of an imminent eruption. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves issued the evacuation order following several days of increased seismic activity.
Information gleaned from The Guardian on Thursday 8th April 2021 confirmed the island entered its highest state of alert. The volcano had been showing increased activity since late 2020, when a new dome began forming inside its crater. The eruption of La Soufrière was anticipated by scientists from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, who had been monitoring the situation closely. Caribbean nations including St. Kitts and Nevis were monitoring developments and prepared to assist with any regional humanitarian response if needed.