Chilean authorities to conduct volcanic eruption drills

Authorities in Chile are scheduled to conduct volcanic eruption simulation exercises to test emergency protocols and evacuation plans.

In Pucón, a drill involving approximately 6,000 people—including 5,000 students and municipal employees—will take place on Tuesday between 10:00 and 13:00. The exercise aims to review the protection systems implemented by the Municipality of Pucón's Risk Management and Disaster Direction. Local police (Carabineros) will implement several road closures to facilitate movement toward designated meeting points.

Simultaneously, the National Service for Prevention and Response to Disasters (SENAPRED) will conduct a simulation for the Calbuco volcano in the Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas areas. The drill, scheduled for 11:00 on Tuesday, October 27, will involve evacuations in sectors such as Lago Chapo, Río Blanco, and Correntoso in Puerto Montt, as well as Ensenada, Colonia Río Sur, and La Poza in Puerto Varas. The exercise will include the activation of first responders and the use of the Emergency Alert System (SAE) to send messages to mobile phones.