Ecuador: Fears of volcano eruption, 325,000 people endangered

Almost 325,000 people could be endangered due to the eruption of the Cotopaxi volcano, which activated a few days ago, prompting the Ecuadorian government to declare a state of emergency, officials announced, reports the Patria News Agency.

"The risk zone is around the snow-capped volcano, 45 kilometers south of the capital Quito, and partially covers three regions in central and northern Ecuador – Cotopaxi, Napo, and Pichincha," said government official Maria del Pilar Cornejo.

She added that around 110,000 people could be endangered in the Cotopaxi region, 80,000 to 200,000 in the Pichincha area, and about 15,000 people in the Napo region.

Authorities fear that lava could trigger a snow avalanche, AFP reported.

The snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano, 5,987 meters high, spewed a cloud of ash five kilometers high on August 14, and fine gray dust covered roads, houses, and cars in the vicinity, as well as up to 50 kilometers away in Quito, local media reported.

The volcano began to show increased activity in April, and the last eruption occurred in 1877.

Cotopaxi is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to the ice covering its summit and its proximity to densely populated areas, world agencies report.