Volcano Erupts in Nicaragua

Managua: The Telica volcano in northwestern Nicaragua erupted Wednesday, sending up dense columns of ash that settled over six surrounding villages, civil defense officials in the area said.

The first explosion lasted 20 minutes and was followed by three other shorter ones, said Evertz Delgadillo, a member of the local municipal disaster prevention committee.

The Telica volcano, which is 150 kilometers (about 90 miles) northwest of Managua, erupted on two occasions in May.