RELATED ITEMS On the Web The island's government has posted danger alerts and pleas for assistance. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory offers photos of volcanic activity from 1995 and 1996. View volcano video clips on the University of North Dakota Web site. UND's Web site also offers an interactive map of currently active volcanoes. From the AP Read the latest news from Montserrat. On washingtonpost.com Our Montserrat Page offers more background information and links. Go to International Section Go to Americas Page Go to Today's Top News Go to Home Page

Montserrat Volcano Threatens Biggest Eruption

SALEM, Montserrat (AP) -- The new British governor gave islanders living in a danger zone three days to leave, saying Montserrat's volcano is threatening its biggest eruption yet.

``I am determined that the volcano should not be allowed to claim another life,'' Gov. Anthony Abbott said Tuesday amid accusations that British inaction led to the deaths of 19 people in a major eruption earlier this year.

Abbott gave an estimated 100 residents of the west coast towns of Salem, Frith's, Fleming and Old Towne until Thursday evening to vacate the area. The government will impose a fine of $185 on anyone found inside the danger zone after Thursday.

Previously, he had threatened to cut utilities, but never did so. Abbott said he wouldn't use force to evacuate residents.

Several people told The Associated Press they intend to stay, regardless of the government order. They maintain the area is safe and said they do not want to move to overcrowded shelters.

For months, scientists have been saying the towns are too close to the smoldering Soufriere Hills volcano. Richard Luckett, a British seismologist at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, said Tuesday that there was no new threat, though a major explosion remains ``a very real worry.''

``It's more a political thing, that they've finally decided to put the pressure on people there to move out,'' Luckett said.

But Abbott, speaking on Montserrat Radio and citing scientists' reports, said: ``An explosion two or three times larger than anything we have seen to date is quite possible.''

The seaside capital of Plymouth was evacuated in the year after the volcano roared to life in 1995. Since then, most islanders have left. The government says that only 4,038 of the original 11,000 residents remain.

As the volcanic eruptions have surged, burying grazing lands and vegetable plots under feet of ash, the southern two-thirds of the British colony has been declared a danger zone.

The towns identified by Abbott were declared off-limits in August, two months after superheated avalanches of gas, rock and ash killed 19 people inside the danger zone.

They had chosen not to move to overcrowded and unsanitary shelters. Despite the deaths, dozens of islanders remain in towns that lie three miles northwest of the volcano.

``This time, they are aware that it's important they cooperate,'' said Abbott's spokeswoman, Sarah Sim.

Last week, Chief Minister David Brandt of Montserrat's local government blamed the British government for the volcano deaths. He said victims had remained in danger because Britain had failed to build promised housing for displaced people.

In the past three months, workers have been expanding shelters and erecting 50 prefabricated buildings.

Brandt also accused Britain of trying to force residents to accept $4,000 in relocation packages in a bid to entirely evacuate the island rather than pay for costly reconstruction. Britain has said it is committed to rebuilding a new capital in the north.