Bodies found on volcano after 20 years

Many residents had already evacuated final week however those that stayed behind have been struggling to herd sheep and cattle to security.

On Saturday, Correa prohibited local media from reporting on the volcano’s activity unless the information comes from official sources, which has caused concern among local press freedom groups, The BBC reported.

Mountain guides located the remains on Saturday during a climb on the volcano in the Andes, about 130 kilometres south of the capital Quito.

The Safety Coordinator Ministry stated the volcano would proceed to emit vapour with average quantities of ash.

The volcano, which towers to 5,897 meters (19,347 feet) high, is considered one of the most threatening in the region – both because of its size and because it is so close to well-populated towns.

The government, which declared a 60-day state of emergency, has sent livestock feed to the area and is preparing an evacuation plan in case the situation worsens.

Dozens of families fled the immediate vicinity last week, setting up tents and improvised camps at a higher location, where they continued to watch the volcanic activity.

Authorities had already restricted entry to the park that surrounds Cotopaxi and suspended ascents of the height, which is widespread with mountaineers.