
La Soufriere erupted on Friday for the first time in 40 years on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, prompting thousands of people to evacuate, seismologists said.

Lightning seen in the ash column during the eruption of La Soufriere Volcano from Rillan Hill in Saint Vincent.

The volcano is obscured by the ashfall and deposits can be seen on surrounding vegetation and houses.

A resident of Chateaubelair, Saint Vincent, walks on a street after the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano.

Cows and grass covered in ash after the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano in Saint Vincent.