Destinations

Ecuador Declares a Yellow Alert in Cotopaxi Volcano Region

Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, albergue Tambopaxi. sector Limpiopungo.  Vista del volcán Cotopaxi desde Tambopaxi.

As a result of emissions of ash from the Cotopaxi volcano, the government of Ecuador has declared a yellow alert in the Ecuadorian provinces of Cotopaxi, Tungurahua and Pichincha.

President Rafael Correa has advised the public to remain calm and to keep themselves informed using the only official channel, which in this case is the Ministry of Security Coordination.

Minister Cesar Navas suggests the public start up contingency planning in direct co-ordination with the Emerging Committees of Operation of provinces involved.

She also reported that entry to the Cotopaxi National Park and the National Area of Recreation El Boliche is suspended, because of the ash fall. She noted that tourists who were in the Cotopaxi National Park had already been evacuated safely.

Due to this alert, the Ministry of Tourism calls tourists and tour operators to remain alert to guidelines and recommendations provided by the Ministry of Security Coordination.

The Cotopaxi Volcano is located in the southern Andes, at a distance of 60.4 km from the city of Latacunga; 83.7 km from Quito; 386.4 km from Guayaquil; 433.4 km from Cuenca and 1,538.4 km from the Galapagos Islands.

Local airports are open and operating normally, except for Latacunga’s airport. Tourism activities are normal in the rest of the country as well as National Parks, such as Cayambe Coca, Galapagos, Llanganates, Machalilla, Podocarpus, Sangay, Sumaco, Yasuni, Yacuri and Cajas.

(http://www.seguridad.gob.ec)