People affected by erupting volcano in Solomon Islands living off coconuts

People affected by an erupting volcano in Solomon Islands say they are living off coconuts because their wells and water tanks have been contaminated by ashfall.

The Tinakula volcano in the country's eastern-most Province began erupting in the weekend spewing ash over the Reef Islands in the Santa Cruz group.

A volunteer disaster worker in the provincial capital Lata, Jones Harara, said the volcano continued to spew ash and lava.

Harara said people in Lata could hear the eruptions 20km away.

He said those directly affected by the ashfall were in urgent need of relief support.

An aviation warning has been issued for the Santa Cruz Islands and national disaster authorities have urged local people to stay indoors and protect their water supplies.

Source: RadioNZ