Residents around Chile’s Calbuco volcano were stunned when the mountain roared to life yesterday for the first time in over four decades.
The president of the country has declared a state of emergency and officials forcibly evacuated the town of Ensenada and its 1500 residents. Two other smaller communities were also forced to clear out.
Heavy ash was reported through the region and also in neighboring Argentina. The official government metrological service reported the ash cloud reaching a peak of 40,000 feet.
No injuries have been reported but one hiker was reported missing.
Officials say that no hot rocks or lava have been seen coming from the volcano but the high levels of ash are posting a threat to the groundwater in the region. The ash can also cause significant problems to air travel and residents who have breathing problems like asthma.
The mountain is considered one of the three most dangerous volcanoes in Chile.
Chile is located on the eastern edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire. One of the country’s most active volcanoes, Villarica, erupted last month sending lava down its sides and forcing the evacuation of thousands.
A pastor who helps victims of substance abuse, rescues minors from prostitution and provides a home for battered women survived an assassination attempt in Argentina.
Pastor Marcelo Nieva was driving in Rio Tercero when a gunman fired rounds from a 9mm handgun into the pastor’s car. Neither Pastor Nieva nor his passenger was hit with any of the bullets that penetrated the car.
A forensic exam of the car found that a bullet struck a vertical beam in the car frame and was deflected millimeters, sending the round into the car’s interior. Without the deflection, the bullet would have struck the pastor’s neck.
The Pastor credits the hand of God for keeping them safe during the attack. He also said that he is not going to slow down doing the work of Jesus to placate the drug gangs that have been objecting to his helping those in need.
“We are struggling and working to uncover the truth of the facts,” he said to Chrsitian News. “We firmly believe that truth overcomes lies and the light will always vanquish darkness.”
Police have been slow to investigate and local residents have said they believe the pastor’s actions are exposing corruption among local officials when they don’t take steps to stop the drug gangs from harassing the pastor and church members.
A school of piranha attacked hundreds of people bathing in an Argentina river, including seven children who lost parts of their bodies.
The bathers were attempting to keep cool in 100-degree temperatures in the Parana River on Wednesday when bathers began to complain of bite marks.
The attack was blamed on a feeding frenzy of Palometas. The fish are a type of piranha described as “big, voracious with sharp teeth.” A media official described the attack as “very aggressive”.
Paramedics told media that children lost entire fingers and toes.
Wildlife officials attributed the attack to the high temperatures heating the water and leading the fish to remain close to the surface.
Over 3,000 residents on both sides of the Chile/Argentina border have been evacuated from the area of the Copahue volcano after gas emissions are leading experts to believe a full eruption is imminent. Continue reading →
What appears to be a meteor flash turned the nighttime skies over Argentina as bright as day on Sunday. Amateur video shows the green streak and flash in the background of a concert setting.
The flash flooding in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas has killed at least 57 people. The suburb of La Plata had the highest total of 51 dead.
The government reports that the flood has destroyed over 100,000 homes. Power is still out throughout the region as most lines were knocked down during the flooding. Government workers are distributing water, food and clothing. Continue reading →
Flash flooding in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina has left at least 35 dead between the capital of Buenos Aires and La Plata.
In La Plata, just over a foot of rain fell in a few hours leading to flooding of fourteen neighborhoods in the capital. Continue reading →
In an attempt to control the runaway inflation crippling the country, Argentina has announced the government is banning any increases in the price of groceries.
A group that represents two thirds of the supermarkets in the nation agreed to freeze prices until at least April 1. The government has set up a hotline, asking citizens to keep their receipts and call the government if they notice any groceries have gone up in price. Continue reading →
Ratings agency Fitch announced that it has made major downgrades to Argentina because they believe the nation is rapidly heading into default.
The nation’s long-term credit rating fell 5 notches from B to CC and the short term rating from B to C. C is the lowest rating a country can fall before they go into economic default. Continue reading →