Vanuatu: Authorities step up evacuation Oct. 2 /update 2

Event

Large-scale evacuations continue on Ambae Island as of Monday, October 2, amid fears of an imminent eruption by Mount Manaro. All 11,000 residents of Ambae Island are to be evacuated by Friday, October 6. Small boats, barges, and supply ships have been ferrying people off Ambae to the islands of Maewo, Pentecost, and Espiritu Santo, since September 28.

On Saturday, September 30, Mount Manaro was seen spewing rock and ash into the air, and authorities have warned that a large eruption could occur at any time.

Context

Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office announced the initial evacuation of over 6000 of the island’s residents from areas around the volcano after an uptick in volcanic activity was first observed on September 26. Authorities raised their alert to Level 4 (the second-highest) over the weekend, signaling that the volcano was in a “moderate eruption state,” warning of significant risk from airborne rocks and volcanic gas.

According to media sources, Manaro has been active since 2005, when it last erupted. Vanuatu is located in the active seismic belt known as the Pacific Ring of Fire and frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to monitor the situation, to register with their regional embassy to receive communications from their home governments, and to follow evacuation instructions issued by local authorities.