(NEMO/CMC) Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves has issued an evacuation order effective immediately.
Safe areas are those from North Union to Kingstown, on the Wind-ward side of the island, Barouallie to Kingstown on the Leeward side and the Grenadine Islands.
He made the announcement on the advice of the country’s disaster officials, after Professor Richard Robertson, the lead scientist monitoring the volcano, reported further activity at La Soufriere.
“I hereby order as follows: 1) the evacuation of all premises in the areas designated as the red zone on the northeast and northwest of St Vincent and the evacuation of the area itself . . . and 2) the exclusion of persons, vessels or vehicles form such premises and areas, save and except for the purpose of effecting the said evacuation,” he said.
Gonsalves added that while the evacuation order would be published today, it would take immediate effect.
“I want to urge all our people to be calm, do not panic, be disciplined, be orderly.”
The Prime Minister said Royal Caribbean was offering three of its ships, two of them expected to arrive by this morning, while Carnival Cruise Line has also indicated that by this evening, two of its cruise ships will be in the country to transport evacuees.
“The cruise ships of Royal Caribbean will be first used to transport the persons from St Vincent and the Grenadines who are to be evacuated to other countries in the region who have offered temporary hospitality, namely St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados and Antigua,” he explain-ed, adding that the British Virgin Islands has also offered assistance but arrangements have not been made.
Gonsalves indicated that other Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and St. Kitts and Nevis have also offered support.
A bulletin on the Face-book Page of St Vincent’s National Emergency Management Organisation earlier today said: “The steaming/smoking at the La Soufriere Volcano had increased over the last few hours.
Lead scientist Professor Richard Robertson said the La Soufriere volcano could erupt “anytime from now”, following a significant increase in activity.
CARICOM
Meanwhile, CARICOM Chair, Trinidadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley issued the following statement:
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has mobilised to support St Vincent and the Grenadines as it faces the possibility of an imminent eruption of La Soufriere Volcano.
Following an evacuation order of the immediate area around the volcano by Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, CARICOM Member States have offer-ed support to house evacuees from the affected area.
The scientific team from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (SRC) has been in the country constantly monitoring the volcano and rendering scientific advice to the Govern-ment of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has been working alongside the St Vincent National Emergency Management Orga-nisation (NEMO), the SRC and the Regional Security System (RSS).
CDEMA has activated its regional support operation including the deployment of a specialist to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Agency is providing technical assistance to NEMO with Evacuation and Logistics Planning.
The Community stands with the Government and People of St Vincent and the Grenadines in this perilous situation.
