Fairweather confirms eruption

The volcano on Manam Island erupted yesterday afternoon, according to Manam Restoration Authority Chairman Ken Fairweather.
He said it erupted around 4pm.
Fairweather said he could see thick black smoke from Karkar Island and believed that it could be a huge eruption.
He said the Manam Island Authority would monitor the situation. He said they badly needed help although the authority could provide some money to assist those in need of evacuation.
An assessment will be made of the magnitude of the eruption.
Fairweather said if the volcanic activity could be seen from as far as Karkar, it would be huge.