Costa Rica issues emergency alert as volcanic ash hits San Jose

Costa Rican authorities issued an emergency alert after ash from the erupting Turrialba volcano reached the capital, San Jose, and beyond.

The alert came after a series of eruptions late on Wednesday and early on Thursday. The National Emergency Commission also ordered the closure of the national park around the volcano.

In a statement, authorities said 11 people had been evacuated to temporary shelters around the town of Santa Cruz de Turrialba.

Other people whose communities were threatened by ash also gathered at the town.

Residents of San Jose, about 35km from the volcano, reported smelling sulphur, while falling ash was seen as far as Ciudad Colon, about 50km away.

Geologist Carlos Martinez, from the National Seismological Network, said the eruptions were coming from a new fissure near the crater.