Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa declared a state of emergency on Saturday after increased activity was reported at the Cotopaxi volcano near the country's capitol of Quito, according to Al Jazeera.
As activity inside the volcano increases, officials continue to evacuate hundreds of people from the area, according to Al Jazeera.
The state of emergency declaration also gives authorities in and around the capital more flexibility in terms of financial resources to deal with the dangerous increase in volcanic activity, according to Fox News.
Precautionary evacuations began on Friday at Cotopaxi, which is about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of the capital of Quito, according to Reuters. Over 400 people have been voluntarily relocated so far. In response to the volcanic activity, the Environment Ministry has also closed the Cotopaxi National Park.
Eruptions continued throughout the weekend, sending ash and debris into the sky, according to Al Jazeera. Pyroclastic flows led to the evacuation of towns along the western slope of the volcano.
Cotopaxi is considered to be one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes, the last major eruption from the volcano happening in 1877, according to Al Jazeera.
The state of emergency declared by President Rafael Correa can't exceed more than 60 days, those relocated hopefully returning home soon, according to Reuters.
