A mountain guide hiking a Chilean volcano became so concerned for his safety as it erupted Saturday that he recorded a video saying goodbye to his family as he tried to escape the ash plume.
The unnamed guide was taking a group of hikers, including a mother and child, up the 18,000-foot Laskar volcano when it suddenly and unexpectedly erupted, sending a cloud of crushed rock into the sky.
The group had to run for their lives.
“The volcano erupted, I’m on the edge of the crater. Andres, brother… I love you so much. I have to go down as soon as possible…” said the mountain guide excitedly running down the slope.
“Mom, dad…everyone….I love you.”
Las Últimas Noticias told the mountaineer he was taking four French nationals up the mountain, which is part of the Andes, when the explosion shocked everyone.
The 51-year-old mountain guide said he has climbed the volcano at least 700 times and has 17 years of experience as a guide.
The ride happened around 12:30 when one of the men he was leading turned around to ask what noise they were hearing – and it turned out to be a large billowing column of smoke.
“She and her son were very scared. The other two Frenchmen kept calm,” said the guide.
It took the group about 40 minutes to get down the mountain to safety. No one was injured in Saturday’s explosion, Chilean officials said.
When asked if he was scared during a dangerous trip, the guide said, “I am 51 years old, I have been working as a mountain guide for 17 years, experience has helped me. It was unbelievable. A blessing. It’s a very beautiful place, I go out once a week.
Authorities raised the alert from green to yellow on Saturday following the eruption of a dense column of ash from the Laskar volcano.
The National Geological and Mining Survey and the Interior Ministry’s National Emergency Management Agency declared a state of emergency after the earthquake was reported to be related to “fluid dynamics within the volcanic system.”
Both organizations said they would begin issuing security measures to ensure the safety of residents and tourists in the area as the volcano erupts periodically.
With post wires.
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