31 Mar 2008

Mt Tavurvur ash causing health problems in PNG province

5:59 am on 31 March 2008

Hospitals and health centres in Papua New Guinea's East New Britain Province have reported an increase in the number of patients complaining of chest pains caused by the continuous ashfall from Mt Tavurvur.

Health workers told the Post Courier newspaper that the number of people needing medical attention had increased after ash from the volcano started falling in populated areas such as Kokopo.

The Rabaul Volcano Observatory reported that thick pale grey ash clouds were rising to two kilometres above the volcano's summit before blowing towards the south.