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Villarrica volcano erupts in Chile

Approximately 3,500 people were evacuated in southern Chile.

By Andrew V. Pestano

SANTIAGO, Chile, March 3 (UPI) -- A red alert was issued after the Villarrica volcano, one of South America's most active, erupted early Tuesday. Approximately, 3,500 people were evacuated.

The 9,000-foot volcano erupted at about 3 a.m. local time. The city of Pucón, located near the volcano, has a population of about 22,000 people.

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"The seismic activity related to volcanic tremor in the Villarrica volcano increased considerably," according to Chile's National Service of Geology and Mining, adding that the eruption process "is characterized by the emission of a great material volume from inside the volcano, consisting of a column ash and particulate matter that reaches altitudes close to two miles."

Rivers have begun to rise as snow has melted due to heat from the volcano. Nearby communities are threatened by mudslides.

Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet, arrived to Pucón to oversee safety operations. She declared an agricultural emergency in the town in the hopes that people would remain "calm" and would "follow instructions" so there are "no regrets" in regards to the catastrophic situation.

Since Volcanic activity has decreased, many residents of the city have returned home.

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"We're still a bit nervous because we don't know what's happening," a witness told CBC News. adding that although residents were nervous, no one was panicking.

No injuries or deaths are reported. Villarrica's last eruptions were in 1984 and 2000.

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