Authorities in Peru have evacuated hundreds of villagers in the shadow of the Ubinas volcano after declaring the region in a state of emergency.
Source:
AFP
24 Apr 2006 - 12:00 AM  UPDATED 24 Feb 2015 - 2:02 PM

Last week the volcano, located 760 kilometers south of Lima, began spewing acid-laden ash and vapors killing livestock.

An official has said 200 families were moved from the south Andean village of Querapi close to the erupting volcano and taken them to another village a safe distance away.

About 60 people from the village either could not be located or have refused to be evacuated with officials trying to locate and convince those remaining to leave.

Those refusing to flea fear they will lose their animals and belongings. But already between 40 to 60 farm animals, including vicuna and llamas, have died near the slopes of the crater.

Many more animals are reported ill reportedly from drinking acid-contaminated water or eating ash-coated grass.

So far, there has been no loss of human life but a further 7000 others are at risk within the region and have been encourage to leave.

President Alejandro Toledo issued a state of emergency for the area Saturday. Mr Toledo has sent a plane to deliver eight tonnes of aid including tents, blankets, food and medicine to the area.