More than 3,000 people in Chile evacuated their homes early Tuesday morning as the country’s most active volcano erupted.
The Associated Press reported that the Villarrica volcano erupted around 3 a.m. and prompted the evacuations in the town of Pucon.
The National Emergency Office declared a red alert and closed all schools nearby.
The Sydney Morning Herald noted that despite the eruption and evacuations Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet told citizens not to panic.
"I am calling for calm. We are monitoring and evaluating the situation closely," she said after a meeting with the country's emergency committee.
The 9,000 foot volcano is one of the most active in South America and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
"It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen," said Australian tourist Travis Armstrong. "I've never seen a volcano erupt and it was spewing lava and ash hundreds of meters into the air. Lightning was striking down at the volcano from the ash cloud that formed from the eruption."