ECUADOR-VOLCANO/FAITHFUL-ANIMALS Christians living near the active Cotopaxi volcano pray to the Virgin of El Quinche for protection as abandoned pets are rescued

Record ID: 141610

  • Title: ECUADOR-VOLCANO/FAITHFUL-ANIMALS Christians living near the active Cotopaxi volcano pray to the Virgin of El Quinche for protection as abandoned pets are rescued
  • Date: 7th September 2015
  • Summary: MULALO, ECUADOR (SEPTEMBER 6, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF COTOPAXI VOLCANO SPEWING STEAM AND ASH ASH FLYING IN STREET VARIOUS OF VIRGIN OF EL QUINCHE TRAVELLING ON BOARD BUS TOWARDS EL CHAUPI EL CHAUPI, ECUADOR (SEPTEMBER 6, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PRAYING IMAGE OF VIRGIN OF EL QUINCHE BEING TAKEN INTO HOUSE IMAGE OF VIRGIN OF EL QUINCHE INSIDE HOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FAITHFUL TO VIRGIN OF EL QUINCHE AND RESIDENT OF EL CHAUPI, TATIANA QUINTANA, SAYING: "The visit of the blessed Virgin of El Quinche to our parish, El Chaupi, especially to the neighbourhood of El Pucara, is due to the tragic moment that we are living through with the eruption of Cotopaxi. We expect her to cover each one of us with her mantle and not only us who live in this parish but all those who are in one way or another affected." GENERAL VIEW OF VOLCANO SAN AGUSTIN DE CALLO, ECUADOR (SEPTEMBER 6, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DOG BARKING VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS CARRYING DOGS AND CATS AND PUTTING THEM ON TRUCK (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ORGANIZER OF EVACUATION OF PETS BRIGADE, GABRIEL CARRION, SAYING: "The idea is to rescue these animals, create a temporary shelter where - if nothing happens - then the owners are able to recover them." VARIOUS OF DOGS INSIDE KENNELS VARIOUS OF GENERAL VIEW OF VOLCANO SPEWING ASH AND STEAM
  • Embargoed: 22nd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ecuador
  • Country: Ecuador
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5TY4NNDTD812FXHIHTWX4OJRM
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: For three weeks, volcanic ash has been continuously falling over communities west of the Cotopaxi volcano, located about 70 kilometres (43.5 miles) south of the capital city of Quito.
    While most residents from the towns of Mulalo, San Agustin de Callo and El Chaupi have voluntarily evacuated, some of those who remain are turning to the God as they seek protection from the active volcano.
    The faithful in this rural areas are carrying a replica of the Virgin of El Quinche (kin-CHEH) from neighbourhood to neighbourhood to pray for protection.
    "The visit of the blessed Virgin of El Quinche to our parish, El Chaupi, especially to the neighbourhood of El Pucara, is due to the tragic moment that we are living through with the eruption of Cotopaxi. We expect her to cover each one of us with her mantle and not only us who live in this parish but all those who are in one way or another affected," said El Chaupi resident Tatiana Quintana.
    Residents are seeking protection not just for themselves, but for area houses, fields and animals.
    Although many owners have already removed their cattle from affected zones, some pets were left behind.
    Animal activists from Quito travelled to the zone to rescue abandoned pets. On Sunday (September 6), volunteers rescued 24 dogs and seven cats from the town of San Agustin de Callo and took them to a shelter in Latacunga.
    "The idea is to rescue these animals, create a temporary shelter where - if nothing happens - then the owners are able to recover them," said animal lover Gabriel Carrion.
    Last week, at least 50 dehydrated dogs suffering from skin and respiratory infections were rescued from the area, according to local media.
    On Sunday, ash rose 1000 meters (3,280 feet) above the crater, with a moderate to low amount of ash spreading to the northwest and west.
    Authorities reported that 38 tremors have been registered at the volcano over a 12-hour period.
    In August, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa declared a state of emergency following increased activity at the giant Cotopaxi volcano, giving the government greater leeway to mobilize financial resources in the event of an eruption.
    Cotopaxi is one of the world's highest active volcanoes and is popular with tourists.
    The last eruption took place in 1940, according to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program.
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