On August 16 Ecuador’s Tungurahua volcano erupted, producing the most dramatic scenes recorded since volcanic activity resumed in 1999.

An 8km plume of ash rose into the air and later buried surrounding towns. At least five people have died, and many more are reported missing.

The volcano Tungurahua erupts releasing a dramatic plume of ash.

Although the volcano is presently calm, geologists warn that further activity is likely and may be more severe.

The Ecuadorian president Alfredo Palacio has declared a state of emergency in the regions of Tungurahua and Chimbroazo, where 4,000 people have been evacuated.

Although a safe distance of 180km from Quito, where the Centre for the Working Girl (CENIT) is situated, both regions are popular weekend destinations for volunteers working at the centre.

The spa town of Baños, which many ex-volunteers count among their favourite Ecuadorian town, has also been affected.

Although the army have not officially evacuated people from the region, Baños resident Jaime Moreno said most tourists have left of their own accord.

“They probably had one of the most frightening nights of their lives, with rocks raining down from the sky,” he says.

Mr Moreno also added that the Baños to Riobamba road, used by many CENIT volunteers to travel from the spa town to the famous Devil’s Nose train ride, is completely ruined.

Left: a tomato crop is left covered by ash

Ashes and rocks the size of golf balls continue to bury the villages surrounding the volcano, destroying crops and killing cattle.

However, some desperate locals have defied warnings and have headed back into evacuated zones in order to salvage possessions.

The Red Cross has launched a Plan of Action to provide medical and food supplies to over 500 affected families living in the shadow of the volcano.

“Not only do we want food for people. We also want food and medicine for animals because they are dying of starvation and diseases. Everything is covered by ash and they do not have anything to eat,'’ said Fausto Acosta, the mayor of Banos.