Nicaraguans Flee as Volcano Dumps Ash

Covering their heads to protect themselves from falling ash, hundreds of people fled from towns near the Cerro Negro volcano as the government declared a state of maximum alert Friday.

Lava and ash spewed Thursday from three new openings in the volcano, 44 miles northwest of the capital, Managua, in western Nicaragua. Activity abated Friday.

Government officials ordered evacuations along the volcano’s slopes. Families fled their towns on oxcarts carrying dogs, chickens and battered furniture.

“We’re going because we’re scared,” Leoncio Aburto said as he arrived at one of seven refugee centers set up in Malpaisillo, six miles from the volcano. “The volcano made a horrible noise, and if it blows up, God help us.”

Leading his cart, Aburto was followed by his wife and five children, who covered their heads with sheets to protect against the ash.

About 1,220 people left the area Thursday and 500 more on Friday, civil defense officials said. The refugees were being taken to schools and health centers in Malpaisillo and two other nearby towns.

Many of the people who live on the volcano’s flanks are farmers who were reluctant to evacuate because they do not want to leave behind livestock and crops.

Cerro Negro has erupted two other times this decade, in 1992 and 1995.

The government declared the maximum alert on the recommendation of the Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies. The institute said that more than 200 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded in the area in the last three days.