Costa Rica on alert after Turrialba volcano spews ash Published duration 30 October 2014

media caption This is Turrialba's largest eruption in more than a century, reports Mark Sedgwick

Costa Rica has issued an emergency alert after ash from an erupting volcano reached the capital and beyond.

Turrialba volcano, some 50km (30 miles) east of San Jose, began rumbling and producing seismic activity on Wednesday night.

The authorities said they were evacuating nearby residents to temporary shelters as a precaution.

Eyewitnesses reported fiery explosions and ash falling like snow over parts of central Costa Rica.

This is Turrialba's largest eruption in more than a century.

The National Emergency Commission said volcanologists and other specialists were on site to assess the situation.

Costa Rica is home to dozens of volcanoes, but most of them are dormant.

image copyright EPA image caption Volcanologists and other specialists were on site to assess the situation

image copyright EPA image caption This is Turrialba's largest eruption in more than a century