Moderate volcanic eruption in southern Chile

A volcano in southern Chile erupted, spewing ash and smoke but posing no immediate risk to populated areas.

A volcano in southern Chile erupted, spewing ash and smoke but posing no immediate risk to populated areas, officials said.

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A column of smoke rose more than a kilometer into the air from the Llaima volcano, which is one of the most active among dozens in Chile, the mayor of the nearby town of Melipeuco, Edgardo Barros, told the Santiago newspaper El Mercurio, on Tuesday.

The details were confirmed by Chile's national emergency office, which added that experts had been sent to monitor the area and police were looking for tourists who may have been nearby.

The 3,120-meter volcano last erupted in May, but has not suffered a major blast since 1994.