El Salvador 's Chaparrastique volcano erupted Sunday , sending a dark cloud of ash miles into the sky , forcing thousands to evacuate from their homes and snarling travel in the Central American country as airlines canceled flights . `` We are not certain there will be new eruptions , but we ca n't rule out that possibility either , '' President Mauricio Funes said in a televised address urging residents near the volcano in the department of San Miguel to leave their homes and head to shelters . According to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources , the eruption began at 10:30 a.m. and produced a column of gas and ash approximately 5 kilometers ( 3.1 miles ) high . Authorities warned residents not to approach the area near the volcano , which is located in eastern El Salvador . The international airport in San Salvador , the capital , redirected some flights to other airports , including in Guatemala , to avoid the ash . Avianca airlines announced Sunday night that it had canceled 33 flights scheduled to arrive and depart from El Salvador as a precautionary measure due to the ash cloud . Iberia and United Airlines also canceled flights that had been scheduled to arrive in San Salvador Sunday night . This is the first eruption of Chaparrastique in 37 years .
Avianca announces the cancellation of 33 flights into and out of the country . El Salvador 's president says authorities do n't know if the volcano will erupt again . Chaparrastique sent a plume of gas and ash about 3 meters high , environmental ministry says . Some flights to San Salvador , the capital , were redirected to other airports to avoid the ash .