Warden Message 08-007

February 7, 2008

The following is a Warden Message issued by the Consulate General of the United States of America in Guayaquil.  The following message contains all of the information available.  Please share it with the American citizens on your warden list, and any other Americans you know, as soon as possible.  It should be disseminated as widely as possible within the American citizen community.  Please contact the American Citizen Services section via e-mail (acsguayaquil@state.gov), fax 232-0904, or telephone 232-3570 if you have any questions.  Thank you very much for your support and assistance.

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ERUPTION OF TUNGURAHUA VOLCANO

This is to inform American citizens visiting or resident in Ecuador that Tungurahua volcano erupted in the early morning of February 6, 2008, after months of intense seismic activity. American citizens are advised to avoid and/or immediately evacuate the vicinity of Tungurahua volcano, including Baños,  

The volcano is located approximately 140 kilometers south of Quito, near Baños.  Pyroclastic flows occurred on the northeast flank of the volcano.  The extent is not yet known.  Two main pulses occurred and scientists predict ash activity will continue and is likely to increase.  The government has declared a Code Red (highest level) alert for the surrounding area and closed schools in the immediate vicinity and in Baños.  The road from Pelileo to Baños is officially closed.  Residents of the highest-risk areas have already been evacuated, and more people were evacuated late in the evening on February 6.  Satellite images show a disperse ash cloud moving to the east and southeast.  Ambato and Riobamba are also affected, and road traffic is slow. 

Tungurahua erupted in 2006 causing significant damage, displacement, deaths, and injuries.  Ash from the eruption affected not just the immediate vicinity of the volcano, but also closed the city of Baños. 

American citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy if they are in need of assistance.

Updated reports are available at http://www.igepn.edu.ec under “volcanoes.”

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will post updates, as they become available, on our website at Ecuador.usembassy.gov.   

Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  Please see the following links for local warden message information in Quito and Guayaquil, respectively, at http://ecuador.usembassy.gov/security-and-safety/warden-messages.html and http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov/warden_messages.html.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
U.S. Embassy Quito is located at the corner of Avenida 12 de Octubre and Avenida Patria (across from the Casa de la Cultura).  The telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is (011) 593 2 256 2890 X4561.  For after-hours emergencies use (011) 593 2 256 1749.  The fax is (011) 593 2 256 1-524.  Within the same city use the last seven digits.  Add the city code for intercity telephone calls.  See also the Embassy web site at http://ecuador.usembassy.gov.
U.S. Consulate General Guayaquil is located at the corner of 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies; fax (011-593-4) 232-0904.  See the Consulate General web site at http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov/.