International news: Chile rocked by volcanic eruption

After more than 40 years of dormancy, the Calbuco volcano in Chile has erupted.

With smoke and ash rising like a column into the sky, several kilometres high, authorities declared a red alert and evacuated thousands living within 20km of the mountain.

The town of Puerto Montt has already been blanketed by ash clouds.

Gervoy Paredes, the Mayor of Puerto Montt, told reporters residents were ‘very, very frightened’, with sudden flooding of the Blanco river complicating the situation.

Argentina is also on alert, while airlines have cancelled flights in the area.