St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has issued an immediate evacuation order as the situation at La Soufrière volcano deteriorated further Thursday afternoon.

He announced that several cruise ships would be arriving on Friday to help evacuate residents.

Dr. Gonsalves made the announcement on the advice of the country’s disaster officials, after Professor Richard Robertson, the lead scientist monitoring the volcano, reported further activity at La Soufriere.

The Prime Minister said Royal Caribbean is offering three of its ships, two of  them expected to arrive by Friday morning, while Carnival Cruise Line has also indicated that two of its cruise ships will be in the country to transport evacuees by Friday evening.

Dr. Gonsalves indicated that other Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and St. Kitts and Nevis have also offered support.

Jamaica has also offered to assist.

During a briefing earlier on Thursday, Professor Robertson indicated that heightened activity at La Soufrière suggested that fresh magma was trying to get to the surface, and an explosion could occur within hours or days.

He had therefore advised that given current data, and the uncertainty about when an explosion would occur, preparations be finalised for a possible evacuation within a few hours’ notice.

At a press briefing Thursday afternoon, Professor Robertson said the situation at the volcano had deteriorated.