Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Mt Ruapehu erupts, closing ski areas

The New Zealand resorts of Whakapapa and Turoa were forced to close after Mt Ruapehu erupted unexpectedly on Tuesday evening.

About 50 people were evacuated from mountain ski lodges, while roads and train lines were also closed.

A 22-year-old climber was seriously injured in the blast when rocks flew through his mountain hut and trapped him. He later had to have part of his leg amputated.

Although the ski areas were closed on Wednesday, they are expected to open again on Thursday. Volcanologists, however, warn there may be further eruptions over the next few days and are advising people to stay away from the upper part of the mountain.

In 1996, an eruption sent ash directly onto the ski fields, closing them for most of the season.

Read Mt Ruapehu's latest news.

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