Ecuador volcano: 4,000 flee

17 Jul, 2006 05:00 / Updated 18 years ago

A state of emergency was declared near Ecuador’s capital, Quito, where a volcano is pouring out hot lava.

Tungu-rahua, a peak 5,000 metres high and inactive for seven years, began to erupt on Friday. Nearly 4,000 people have been evacuated and villagers' livestock and crops have been destroyed. President Alfredo Palacios pledged about $5 million in government aid.