Several animals died and damage to the access road leading to the Siete Vueltas district in Colombia on Wednesday, February 25, after a huge Mud Volcano erupted in San Juan de Urabá. Emergency services were already stationed in the area and began dousing the fire that erupted from the volcanic eruption, preventing people from approaching the site.
The volcanic eruption was captured in multiple videos shared by residents on social media platforms, showing a huge fire lighting up the sky, visible from neighbouring areas. According to initial reports from relief agencies, although no human casualties have been reported so far, the eruption is believed to have caused a vegetation fire around the volcano.
Mud Volcano Eruption in Colombia
Authorities are prioritising searches in the surrounding area and have urged residents and onlookers to stay away to avoid accidents. Citizens have also been asked to avoid travelling on the road between San Juan and San Juancito, as images and videos circulated online show visible cracks in some sections.
Also Read | Justice Department fines IT company for AI job ads excluding US workers.
Speaking to El Colombiano, San Juan de Urabá’s Secretary of Government, José Ignacio Díaz Salgado, said at least four homes had to be evacuated due to the emergency. According to the official, the local fire department was already on-site on Wednesday night, working to extinguish flames caused by the eruption.
Although a detailed damage assessment has not yet been completed due to the darkness, Díaz confirmed that some cattle were found dead following the eruption.