Guadalajara, Mexico, Jul 11 (EFE).- Residents of the Mexican hamlet of La Yerbabuena were evacuated after an explosion was registered inside the Colima Volcano, emergency management officials told EFE.

The inhabitants of that small community on the side of the volcano, which straddles the western states of Colima and Jalisco, were taken to La Becerrera, a town three kilometers (1.9 miles) away, due to concerns about falling ash.

“Due to the Colima Volcano’s activity, Colima’s emergency management office ordered the preventive evacuation of 19 people from the La Yerbabuena community,” the head of that office, Luis Felipe Puente, said on Twitter.

The strong explosion, which occurred at around 8:40 p.m. Friday, caused the ejection of incandescent fragments of lava.

Although the eruption occurred in the part of the volcano corresponding to Jalisco, the two nearest towns in that state – El Borbollon and Juan Barragan – were unaffected, that state’s government secretary, Roberto Lopez, said on social media.

Falling ash is expected, and preventive measures implemented after the declaration of a “permanent activity” phase will remain in place, Colima emergency management officials told EFE.

Colima, which rises to a height of 3,820 meters (12,525 feet) above sea level, is one of Mexico’s most active volcanoes along with Popocatepetl, which straddles the central states of Mexico, Puebla and Morelos. EFE