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Volcanic ash turns to ‘concrete’ after more La Soufriere eruptions

-SVG residents displaced from volcanic activity now grappling with home break-ins
Massive cleanup efforts ongoing to clear the streets of volcanic ash. Photo: Youtube/iWitness News
Volcanic ash in Georgetown, the capital of northeastern St. Vincent have turned to almost concrete following heavy rains and more eruptions on Friday, April 16, 2021. Photo: Youtube/iWitness News
Volcanic ash in Georgetown, the capital of northeastern St. Vincent have turned to almost concrete following heavy rains and more eruptions on Friday, April 16, 2021. Photo: Youtube/iWitness News
Ahead of the latest eruption, Volcanologist Professor Richard Robertson had said on local radio that based on observations, it had looked as if the volcano was out of the period of exploding. Photo: Internet Source
Ahead of the latest eruption, Volcanologist Professor Richard Robertson had said on local radio that based on observations, it had looked as if the volcano was out of the period of exploding. Photo: Internet Source
Local media iWitness News reported that while the area is located in the danger zone as declared by authorities, residents are trying to prevent their roofs from collapsing under the weight of the ash. Photo: YouTube/iWitness News
Local media iWitness News reported that while the area is located in the danger zone as declared by authorities, residents are trying to prevent their roofs from collapsing under the weight of the ash. Photo: YouTube/iWitness News
St. Vincent Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves continues his plea for persons to leave the red zone area as the volcano continues to erupt and generate possibly pyroclastic density currents (PCDs). Photo: Internet Source
St. Vincent Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves continues his plea for persons to leave the red zone area as the volcano continues to erupt and generate possibly pyroclastic density currents (PCDs). Photo: Internet Source
GEORGETOWN, St. Vincent & The Grenadines - Volcanic ash in Georgetown, the capital of northeastern St. Vincent have turned to almost concrete following heavy rains and more eruptions on Friday, April 16, 2021.

Local media iWitness News reported that while the area is located in the danger zone as declared by authorities, residents are trying to prevent their roofs from collapsing under the weight of the ash.

Break-ins & burglaries now rampant

Residents displaced from the ongoing volcanic activity have also been grappling with break-ins and burglaries when returning to their homes, after evacuation to stay at government shelters.

On Friday, after 41 hours without exploding, the volcano went off again at 6:16 am and has alerted authorities at how unpredictable the volcano can be with calls for persons to stay out of the danger zone, where the volcano-related hazards are greatest.

Ahead of the latest eruption, Volcanologist Professor Richard Robertson had said on local radio that based on observations, it had looked as if the volcano was out of the period of exploding.

“But, of course, Soufriere don’t like to be told what it is doing. So it proved me completely wrong,” said Robertson on NBC Radio on Friday. Mr Johnson had accurately predicted on Thursday, April 8, that the volcano could erupt within 24 to 48 hours, resulting in the first eruption.

More explosions could come - Professor Robertson

“We are not out of the explosive period yet and we still could have explosions going forward. I don’t think I will be saying we are outside of the explosive period for a little while now,” Robertson said. 

Meanwhile, St. Vincent Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves reiterated his plea for persons to leave the red zone area as the volcano continues to erupt and generate possibly pyroclastic density currents (PCDs).

Despite the warnings, the Prime Minister said that on the Island, not many people affected by the volcano have indicated a willingness to evacuate to neighbouring Caribbean countires.

The Virgin Islands has so far organised cash relief and potable water supplies to be sent to the Island in its first relief effort, with Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) indicating that the VI will do whatever it can to help the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

22 Responses to “Volcanic ash turns to ‘concrete’ after more La Soufriere eruptions”

  • grace (17/04/2021, 17:22) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    Their are ladies at East End Riteway today saying they are collecting for St. Vincent, but no I.D., not tablet writing down names or how much we donated. Where is the control of the money and who do they report to. How do we know if the money will get to them?
  • Really (17/04/2021, 17:28) Like (3) Dislike (18) Reply
    This is just a bunch of excuses for them to come to other people country...
    • @Really (17/04/2021, 17:32) Like (5) Dislike (20) Reply
      You are right, let them stay down the islands
    • @ Really (17/04/2021, 17:40) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
      let them go to the more development countries like usa, canada, or uk this little land have loads of challenges at this time and undertake more liability wont be good development strategy. the politicians and some church pastors looking good name the locals are already out numbered so send food items along with clothes and cash so they can begin to settle down in their own homeland-covid 19 is still rampant in the caribbean lets try keep who reside here safe
    • Ah (17/04/2021, 17:47) Like (5) Dislike (16) Reply
      Hope a next. Irma. Get you all
      • @ Ah (17/04/2021, 19:02) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
        hello my friend when people migrate to this territory they come looking work and not coming to the british virgin islands to offer any favours: stop fooling yourself with the foolish slogans. some of them make 10.00 dollars per week and send nine dollars and ninety back to their respective homelands prove me wrong. money is exchange in british virgin islands for work be it police, plumber, waitress and much more NO comes here from wherever and work for free in virgin islands. caribbean men and women been residing in virgin islands from way back when(sound like you just come !!!!
        • @@Ah (18/04/2021, 06:24) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
          Really prove you wrong. Where in this island can you send back more than $.50 out of that money to your home country. With this cost of living. You have to be ridiculous. Only reasons why some people move here is just to have some form of making money to provide for themselves. Given a choice most people would not leave their countries to come to the BVI. With all this type of xenophobic behaviour nah. When people get here the delusion is wiped from their eyes. They recognize the con but by then it's too late to do anything about it.
          • ... (18/04/2021, 11:56) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
            @@@Ah. Well then make them go back home. Ain't nobody force them to come or forcing them to Stay. It's their Choice( chasing the
          • Well (18/04/2021, 15:24) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
            Western Union is proof ..always full of the Caribbean Islands ex porting their dollars they earned in the Vi.
            • @Well (19/04/2021, 11:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
              So where you want them to export their funds? The BVI?

              Do you all see how immigrants are treated in this territory?
      • @ Ah (18/04/2021, 15:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Then you and your poor country will be suffering more than any VIslander.
        Pray that they will always be there because all yo would never be selfreliant.
      • @Ah (19/04/2021, 11:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Co-sign your statement.

        I’m a local and it’s sad to see the comments that are made towards the situation. When the BVI got damaged from Irma and Maria the Caribbean Islands helped us.



    • Unbelieveable (17/04/2021, 18:05) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      You people are seriously sick in the head! smh
    • sympathy (17/04/2021, 19:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Really and the others......You three are some heartless fool, don't forget our own experience with Maria and Irma and they provided some assistance.
      • Well Well (18/04/2021, 08:35) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
        @ Sympathy the BVI is not helping the people of St
        Vincent? You mean to tell me only when the BVI opens its doors to all they are helping?
        I remember the hurricanes of 2017 yes we got help but how many of our Caribbean nations offered to opened their doors and our destruction was worse than St.vincent

        • Captain Hook (18/04/2021, 15:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          Lets be honest, even if many caribbean countries opened their doors alot of natives wouldve preferred to go "UP ISLAND (USA)" than to them so called "DOWN ISLAND" places. smh.
    • wise up (18/04/2021, 10:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Karma!let’s wish u don’t ever be in a situation like this or similar.
  • Tax Payer (17/04/2021, 17:47) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    So I didnt get NONE my money back when they said apply for that covid fund or whatever it was after being home for months but you guys sending tax payers money to st Vincent ???
    Ps...#1 Bull S**T
  • y (17/04/2021, 18:34) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    I done tel are u aready we dont owe them anything
  • tola (17/04/2021, 19:27) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I ain't donating no money I give other stuff. People too thief
  • Nature (18/04/2021, 10:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Aren't most of the Caribbean islands formed from volcanic eruptions? Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the ash is hardening.


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