Volcano blows, forcing mass evacuation

Nicaragua's San Cristobal volcano covered in a shroud of smoky grey ash.

On Saturday, the volcano, just north of capital Managua, blasted a 5-km high ash plume into the atmosphere.

SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) JOSE RAMON MADARIAGA, LOCAL MAN, SAYING:

"Well, San Cristobal volcano exploded like a cork that flew upward, and the puff of smoke blew into the air."

The ashy eruption prompted hundreds of nearby residents to leave the area.

The government expects to evacuate 3,000 from their homes and has raised the alert level to yellow.

San Cristobal is one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua's Pacific Coast and a major eruption could affect up to 20,000 people.