Ecuador declares state of emergency amid volcano fears

The Cotopaxi volcano spewing out ash and vapor. Photo / AP

The president of Ecuador has imposed a state of emergency in the country over concern that the volcano Cotopaxi might erupt.

President Rafael Correa on Saturday said it was important to prepare by mobilising the necessary financial means and to concentrate other resources.

The measures theoretically mean there could be limits on freedom of assembly and news coverage.

Correa said security co-ordinator Cesar Navas was in charge of the measures and urged calm.

"In such emergencies panic is produced, and that creates more problems than solutions," Correa said.

The 5,897-metre snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano lies about 50 kilometres from the capital Quito.

It has been active for days and already has produced explosions and spewed ash and grey clouds into the sky.

Several villages near the volcano have been evacuated.