Comoros island cleans up after Mount Karthala volcano eruption

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2005

MORONI (AFP) — Residents on the main island in the Indian Ocean's Comoros archipelago cleaned up after the weekend eruption of the Mount Karthala volcano blanketed much of Grand Comore with ash and dust.

After sending thousands of panicked villagers fleeing their homes when the eruption began on Sunday, Mount Karthala was stable on Tuesday and had not released any lava or toxic gas as initially feared, officials said.

The officials also sought to ease fears that ash and other debris from the eruption had contaminated the island's water supplies.

"Currently the situation is stable and the experts are keeping a close eye on the way things develop," the Comoros crisis center said in a statement.

"We have noted that since Monday there has not been...