The Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia is remembered for the tragedy in Armero in November 1985, and will possibly erupt again

Havana, April 1 (RHC) Colombian authorities remain on alert for the possible eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano located on the borders of the departments of Tolima and Caldas.

"We have an orange alert due to the change in seismology at the Ruiz volcano. Mayors must prepare the protocols for this state of alert," Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned on Friday through social networks.

The Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) indicated that the records of increased activity in the volcano would indicate that in the coming days it could erupt more than those recorded in the last decade.

The Colombian entity pointed out that around 57,000 residents in the more than 20 municipalities near the volcano are under high threat from possible lava flows, debris avalanches and ash falls.

"They are not going to be evacuated initially, they are going to be in the process of enlisting" for a possible evacuation, explained the director of UNGRD, Javier Pava.

According to the head of the risk and disaster agency, elements of the Air Force, the Naval Force, the Police, the Army, firefighters, the Red Cross, and Civil Defense are in the area to collaborate with evacuation operations, when necessary.

Nevado del Ruiz is remembered for the tragedy in the missing city of Armero in November 1985, when its eruption caused an avalanche and left around 25,000 dead. (Source: Telesur)