Scores Of Nigerians Trapped As Volcano Erupts In Caribbean Island Of St. Vincent

A volcano had erupted on the Eastern Caribbean Island of the St. Vincent on Friday.

The St. Vincent’s National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), had also confirmed the incident on its official Twitter handle on Friday.

According to the agency, a volcano known as La Soufrière erupted on the Island after hours of spewing ash and steam.

However, the Consul-General of Nigeria on the Island, Dr Levi Odoe, disclosed on Saturday that some Nigerians are currently being trapped at the scene of the incident.

He appealed to the Nigerian government and other public-spirited entities around the world, to help in evacuating some trapped Nigerian students.

It was gathered that about 230 Nigerians Students who are studying Medicine on the Island and scores of Nigerians tourist are currently trapped in the island.

Odoe also noted that thousands of people have been evacuated from the area following the incident, however, there are still many Nigerians on the Island.

He appealed to the Nigerian Government to act swiftly in evacuating the affected Nigerians.

In his words: “There are lot of Nigerians in the Island, and this causes health challenges. Families are being moved to other countries. We will appreciate assistance from well wishers and friends.”

St. Vincent and the Grenadines have an active volcano at La Soufrière elevation, which peaks at 1,234 metre.

This is the fourth volcanic eruption on the Island since 1979.

While the first recorded eruption occurred in 1718, the last La Soufrière volcano eruption happened in 1979, the same year the St. Vincent and the Grenadines gained Independence from the United Kingdom (UK).

The Island is known as an area of heightened volcanic activity, with several mountains erupting in 1812, 1814, 1902, 1903, among others.

The 1902 eruption of Martinique’s Mount Pelée, remains the deadliest volcanic eruption in the history of the Island, with over 20,000 deaths recorded.