Please Note: This news story has expired and is held in our business travel news archive. The story is shown here for information purposes only. Please click here to view our current news releases.

FCO: Eruption of Puyehue volcano in Chile

5th June 2011 The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

Travellers to Southern Chile and the Bariloche area of Argentina advised to follow advice of local authorities

A chain of volcanoes has erupted in southern Chile (Puyehue and the Los Lagos region), about 500 miles south of Santiago. The Chilean authorities have organised the evacuation of 3500 residents in the area. We advise anyone in the area, or anyone planning to travel in the next few days, to follow the advice of the local authorities. The Chilean National Emergency Office have issued two emergency information lines ( +56 2 252 4366 and +56 2 252 4370).

The eruption is also affecting Bariloche and the surrounding area of Argentina. The Chile - Argentina border is closed. Volcanic ash has fallen on the city of Bariloche and is expected to continue falling on Sunday 5 June. The authorities are advising people to stay indoors, stay calm and to conserve water. We advise anyone in the affected area, or anyone planning to travel in the next few days, to follow the advice of the local authorities.

Bariloche airport is currently closed. Please contact your airline/travel agent for further information.