Over 4,000 evacuated as volcano erupts in Calbuco

Chilean authorities have issued a red alert warning with over 4,000 people evacuated after the Calbuco volcano erupted twice in the space of a few hours.

Officials say there was no indication that the volcano was going to erupt, inspite of the fact that the Calbuco volcano is one of the most active in Chile.

BBC reports that in the wake of the eruption, the inhabitants of the nearby town of Ensenada, along with residents from two other smaller communities have been ordered to evacuate their homes.

Also schools in the area have been shut and some flights cancelled.

Meanwhile the nearby city of Puerto Montt which is a gateway to the popular Patagonia region has already been blanketed in a cloud of ash, even as traffic jams have began to build in the city as well as long queues at petrol stations.

With nearby town residents greatly afraid and waiting for information on what to do, the Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo called on people affected to "remain calm and stay informed".

In the meantime, neighbouring Argentina has also put emergency measures in place for the city of Bariloche which is about 100km from volcanic spot Calbuco.

Residents there have been warned to stay indoors.

Chile has the second largest chain of volcanoes in the world after Indonesia and this will be the second volcanic eruption in as many months.

No casualties have however been reported.