Chile issues red alert over volcano

Chile is issuing a red alert for a volcano on the border with Argentina that has become increasingly active. The Copahue volcano straddling Argentina's Neuquen province started spewing ash and gas yesterday and officials issued a yellow and orange alert. Chile's emergency office ONEMI raised the alert today after it registered seismic activity and a cloud of ash almost 1.5 kms high in the Biobio region . The Mining Ministry's geology unit recommends careful observation of a 15-km radius around the active crater in case of mudflows of volcanic fragments. Officials say there is no need yet to evacuate. The Puyehue volcano in southern Chile erupted last year, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and the evacuation of thousands of people.