January 03, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 23, 1428

SANTIAGO: Army troops on Wednesday rescued 53 tourists from the slopes of the Llaima volcano erupting in southern Chile, authorities said.

The tourists were picked up by a fleet of about 12 vehicles which used an alternate route into the national park where the volcano is located, the forest service said. The tourists nationalities were not immediately disclosed. The park’s main entrance was cut off after a river burst its banks due to high waters caused by melting ice and snow on the volcano’s cone.

“There now is absolutely no one in the park,” said regional park service chief Mario Acuna.

Conguillio National Park, 700km south of the capital, is home to scenic Llaima volcano, which towers to 3,215 meters. It started erupting on Tuesday, when another 150 tourists were whisked out safely.

Authorities issued an alert but residents of the nearest town, Melipeuco, were still in their homes awaiting word on a possible evacuation which would be ordered by the National Emergency Office.—AFP