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Thousands evacuated after Colombian volcano erupts


    BOGOTA (Reuters) - Thousands of Colombians were evacuated around the Nevado del Huila volcano in the southwest part of the country on Tuesday after an eruption of ash and gas that caused no damage, but put authorities on high alert.

    "Constant monitoring of the situation will be maintained,"said a statement from Colombia's Interior Ministry.

    The volcano, in the province of Huila, is not located nearany major coffee plantations integral to the economy of thispart of the Andean country.

    Nevado del Huila erupted at the start of 2007 after layingdormant for hundreds of years. A 1985 eruption of the Nevadodel Ruiz volcano in Caldas province triggered mudslides killing25,000 people in Colombia's worst natural disaster.

    (Reporting by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by Eric Beech)