Caribbean Volcano Eruptions Prompts Cruise Ship Evacuation

The Caribbean island of St. Vincent has experienced an "explosive volcanic eruption," according to an announcement by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) on April 9, 2021. The Alert Level remained at Orange, the second-highest level on a four-color scale by the UWI-SRC.

The island's largest volcano is La Soufrière, which began erupting in December 2020.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines have a population of about 10,000, mainly located in the capital city of Kingston. An estimated 16,000 residents live in the danger zone and will have to be removed.

'All residents are asked to act accordingly with immediate effect to ensure their safety and that of their families,' Tweeted St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

On April 8, 2021, Miami-based Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises announced they were 'Serenade of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection to St. Vincent in the Caribbean to evacuate residents.' According to the statement, precautions would be taken 'to protect the health and safety of the crew and passengers who board our ships.'

Prime Minister Gonsalves is reported to announce those who wish to board a rescue ship will have to be vaccinated against COVID-19, reported NPR.

On April 7th, the WHO confirmed 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca / Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by SK Bioscience of South Korea, arrived today at the Argyle International Airport.

As of April 2, 2021, the U.S. CDC confirmed in a Level 4 Travel Alert that travelers should avoid all travel to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

'Because of the current pandemic situation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.' says the CDC.