Papua New Guinea evacuates thousands threatened by volcano

Authorities in Papua New Guinea are evacuating thousands of people at risk of a volcanic eruption in the South Pacific Island nation's north, the government said Monday.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said he had directed all relevant state resources be made available to support the evacuation of people at risk due to volcanic eruptions on Kadovar Island in the East Sepik region.

He also warned northern coastal communities to be alert for possible tsunamis resulting from volcanic activity.

Flights in the area had been cancelled and shipping had been warned to stay away it was responding to the volcanic activity, he said.

Recently, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop tweeted support for their neighbours, saying: "Aus Govt contributing $25k humanitarian supplies for PNG people affected by Kadovar Island volcano."

Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported 3,000 people were being evacuated from Biem Island, 12 kilometers (7 miles) west of Kadovar, where plumes of ash forced 700 people to evacuate in the past week.

Papua New Guinea sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and has frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.