Chilean town nearly empty after volcano eruption

PUERTO MONTT, Chile (AP) -- The Chilean government says the southern town of Chaiten is virtually empty after it was evacuated and thousands of residents taken to safety in the wake of a nearby volcano's eruption.

Interior Minister Edmundo Perez said Saturday that 40 to 45 people of a total population of more than 4,500 remain there one day after the Chaiten volcano erupted.

The town is covered by a thick layer of ash, and people must protect themselves with masks.

The volcano continues to spew ash.

Some smoke plumes have reached more than 12 miles (20 kilometers) high.

Wind has blown the ash to other villages in the area 745 miles (1,200 kilometers) south of Chile's capital of Santiago as well as into neighboring Argentina.

Perez said it's difficult to predict when residents will be able to return to Chaiten. E-mail to a friend

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