Villages Evacuated Following Eruption

The government ordered two villages evacuated Sunday after an eruption from a volcano that has been belching steam and ash for three weeks.

The eruption Friday was the third since July 18 on this island, which is 11 miles long and 7 miles wide.

On Saturday, three quakes rocked the southern part of the island, rattling buildings in Plymouth, the capital, three miles from the seismic activity in the Soufriere Hills.

“We’re seeing a large number of earth swarms (quakes) and that has given us cause for some concern,” Chief Minister Reuben Meade told reporters Sunday.

Fearing increased mud flows, Gov. Frank Savage ordered buses to help evacuate the 300 residents of eastern Long Ground and Tuitts villages Sunday.