Santiago: Thousands of Chileans were evacuated as a chain of volcanoes erupted in southern Chile, news agencies reported on Sunday.
Reports said that large columns of smoke have been rising from the Puyehue-Cordon-Caulle volcano range, about 800km (500 miles) south of the capital Santiago.
A dozen small earthquakes were recorded before the eruption began.
The officials have issued a red alert – the maximum warning level for the area.
Evacuation orders were issued for some 3,500 people, the local authorities said.
They added that the residents would be relocated in temporary shelters in safe areas.
So far there have been no reports of any injuries.
However, ash clouds have drifted to neighbouring Argentina where officials have ordered residents to stay indoors.
A regional airport in the Argentine city of Bariloche has been closed due to the volcanic ash.
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