La Soufriere: Second Volcanic Eruption Worries Vincentians

The La Soufriere volcano in St. Vincent erupted a second time Friday, sometime after three in the afternoon.

The eruption sent millions of small particles suspended in the air forming what resembled an enormously healthy cauliflower.

Though residents describe the scene as beautifully surreal, up close this novel spectacle has displaced close to 20,000 farmers and residents in the red zone.

Shontelle Lewis, a volunteer during the pandemic says many volunteers are however leaving their homes and coming together to help the affected. 

Grocery stores are reportedly crowded as Vincentians hurriedly pack essential items in preparation for another eruption, with water being on the top of their lists.

Additionally, volunteers say the visibility in some of the towns are poor due to the ash fall. If the ash fall continues it  could result in total darkness.

The volcano last erupted in 1979 claiming the lives of some 1,600 residents.

It happened on the second Friday of April exactly 42 years ago.

Apart from public buildings now voluntarily housing displaced residents, private entities have also come on-board to render assistance.

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett says the Global Tourism Resilience Centre stands ready to support St. Vincent and the Grenadines in light of the potential worsened eruption.