OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Ecuador - Volcanic Eruption
4 November 2002


Major eruption of the Reventador volcano, 90 km east of Quito

1. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ecuador reports that the
Reventador volcano showed seismic unrest starting early hours of 3
November, producing a cloud of ash and gas, followed by successive
explosions. Approximately at 9:00 local time (15:00 GMT), a major
explosion occurred and pyroclastic flows reached the Baeza-Lumbaqui
highway, blocking inter-city traffic. Ash has fallen to Baeza, Cayambe,
Yaruqui, El Quinche, Tumbaco, Pifo, Sangoqui and Quito, Ecuador's capital.

2. No loss of life has been reported from the eruption of Reventador, a
3,560 m volcano located 90 km east of Quito on the eastern range of the
Andes. The most recent eruption, in January of 1976, produced bombs, ash
and lava flows (source: University of North Dakota, at
volcano.und.nodak.edu.)

3. According to El Comercio newspaper, all operations at the Mariscal
Sucre airport in Quito have been suspended. All flights arriving to Quito
are being rerouted to Guayaquil.

4. The Office of the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor reports that
the Government of Ecuador declared State of Emergency for the provinces of
Pichincha, Sucumbios and Napo, affected by ash fall, in order to mobilize
financial and logistical assistance.

5. Families living in the town of El Chaco in the vicinity of the volcano,
are being evacuated to safe areas by the Civil Defense.

6. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the United Nations Resident
Coordinator in Quito.

7. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int



Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. E. Haegglund / Mr. R Mena / Ms. M. Kondo
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99 / 14 55 / 19 97

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  (NYC)  Brian Grogan direct Tel. +1-212-963-1143


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