25 Nov 2004

PNG volcano sends lava towards two villages

9:30 am on 25 November 2004

Scientists in Papua New Guinea say a volcano on Manam Island has erupted again, sending lavaflows towards two villages.

The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory says Manam's main crater yesterday threw up ash, 10 kilometres into the atmosphere.

The government says it's ready to evacuate islanders if the danger worsens.

The Inter-Government Relations minister, Sir Peter Barter, says the government has set aside about 3-hundred, thousand US dollars to assist the islanders.

Sir Peter says the National Disaster Office will ensure that sufficient food and water is available for affected islanders.