Hundreds flee volcano in Ecuador

Villagers in Ecuador have been ordered to leave their houses after a volcano shot columns of ash several miles into the air.



At least one thousand people have been told to evacuate the area surrounding the Tungurahua volcano, which is 130 kilometres or 80 miles south of the capital, Quito.



President Rafael Correa said a state of emergency already in place would be extended for 60 days.



The volcano, whose name means Throat of Fire in the local Quichua language, spewed molten rock and shot ash six miles into the air yesterday.



The ash covered thousands of acres of farmland, destroying property, crops and livestock.