Volcano erupted without warning at around 6pm local time with 1,500 people forced to leave their homes . Residents described people crying in the streets as they fled in the aftermath of the 'apocalypse-like ' eruption . It is the first time the volcano has been active since 1972 , and the first major eruption there since 1961 . The plume of ash and smoke blanketed the sky and was visible in towns up to 100 miles away in Chile .
Volcano erupted without warning at around 6pm local time with 1,500 people forced to leave their homes . Residents described people crying in the streets as they fled in the aftermath of the 'apocalypse-like ' eruption . It is the first time the volcano has been active since 1972 , and the first major eruption there since 1961 . The plume of ash and smoke blanketed the sky and was visible in towns up to 100 miles away in Argentina .