Nevado del Ruiz Volcano has erupted in western Colombia. Due to the smoke cloud rising up to 8,230 meters from the volcano, flights to and from El Dorado International Airport in the capital Bogota were suspended, the Civil Aviation Authority announced. Flight routes in other parts of the country may also be affected due to the smoke emitted by the volcano. Authorities have set up a Unified Command Center (PMU) in Ibague, Tolima’s capital, to keep a closer eye on the activity of the snow-capped volcano, which has been active in recent weeks.
In November 1985, more than 23,000 people died in the town of Armero as the eruption wiped out nearby towns unaware.