Molten lava from a volcano in the Cape Verde archipelago has been sliding toward the town of Cha das Caldeiras, threatening to destroy it and a nearby village days after an initial eruption.
Television images on Thursday showed a huge lake of steaming black lava just meteRs away from houses in the village of Portela. The village is close to Cha das Caldeiras, whose 1,200-strong population has been evacuated to emergency shelters.
The eruption on the island of Fogo — whose name means fire — is the first since 1995 and the largest since 1951.
"In the last few hours, there was an increase in volcanic activity and the lava is flowing toward Portela and this community may be completely engulfed by lava," Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves said on Thursday during a visit to Fogo.
"The potential is for the total destruction of Cha das Caldeiras, one of the most fertile regions of Cape Verde," he added, calling on international aid for the country.
Experts from Portugal and the Canary Islands have already arrived to evaluate the seismic activity.
The arid, former Portuguese colony is located about 600 km (400 miles) off the coast of Senegal. Fogo's volcanic peak, surrounded by vineyards, is a favorite hiking destination.