Volcanic activity in Nicaragua forces evacuations

Hundreds of families are being evacuated from around Nicaragua's highest volcano after it began spewing gas anash, dpa quoted a government spokeswoman as telling radio station La Primerisima on Wednesday.
More than 300 families living within a three-kilometre radius of
San Cristobal Volcano were being evacuated with the help of the army,
Rosario Murillo said.
Fifteen explosions had been recorded at the 1,745-metre-high
volcano had since late Tuesday, though they had been classified as
moderate.
A cloud of smoke 500 metres tall could be seen above the volcano.
The last time it erupted, in September, 3,000 people were evacuated
to safety.
-- SPA