Volcano erupts in Iceland, hundreds flee

Shortly before midnight, the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, the island's fifth largest, started to spew smoke and lava from several craters along a rift which is popular with hikers.

Police sent rescue teams to evacuate about 500 people living in the rural area near the site. No injuries or damage to property were reported. Three Red Cross care centers were opened in nearby villages to assist the evacuated population.

"The evacuations have gone smoothly," said local police chief Kjartan Thorkelsson, adding there was no indication the volcano presented any immediate danger to people.

The volcano spewed lava and threw up a plume of smoke about one kilometer high. There was little threat of flooding unless the eruption grew in scope and began to melt large amounts of ice on the glacier, police said.

Flights to and from Iceland were canceled due to the risk that clouds of ash could interfere with navigation, with flights from the US cities of Orlando and Seattle diverted to Boston until later in the day.

Some 1,300 travelers were stranded in airports in Iceland and abroad, the Civil Authority said, adding all flights were expected to start taking off later in the day.

Police said the main road on Iceland's southern coast had reopened after being closed for several hours due to the eruption. Farmers were allowed to return home to tend to their animals.

Scientists said further volcanic activity could be imminent as three previous eruptions at Eyjafjallajokull had all triggered eruptions at Mt Katla, a powerful volcano to the east of the glacier; Kazinform cites the Arab News.

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