AT LEAST 9 KILLED IN VOLCANO ERUPTION

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 16, 1993                   TAG: 9301160135
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PASTO, COLOMBIA                                LENGTH: Short
AT LEAST 9 KILLED IN VOLCANO ERUPTION
Hikers and scientists staggered down a rumbling volcano Friday following a terrifying flash eruption that killed at least nine people, including volcano experts poking around the crater.
Officials confirmed seven injured in Thursday's eruption of 14,030-foot Galeras volcano, about 375 miles south of Bogota and 13 miles from the city of Pasto. The eruption sent super-hot volcanic debris 1 1/2 miles into the air.
There were conflicting reports that up to eight people were missing. Police told the radio network Caracol that more than 70 people may have been on the volcano when it erupted.
Ash and rocks continued to spew from the crater Friday as rescuers wearing masks against poisonous gases and debris found the bodies of two Colombians and a portion of another, unidentified body.
The search was suspended at midday Friday as the snow-capped volcano began shaking again amid freezing temperatures, high winds and thick clouds.
Six others were confirmed dead on Thursday, including three who had yelled for help from inside the crater.
Three of the injured were Americans.
Just as some of the scientists were approaching the rim, the volcano erupted with a deafening roar and a huge column of ash and steam at 1:43 p.m. Thursday.
Keywords:
FATALITY

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB