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An ash-covered ghost town greets its old residents---- A violent volcano in early May forced families in Chile's Chaiten village to evacuate. Almost two months later, the Chilean government has allowed 50 residents to re-enter the ravaged area. It's their first visit since the evacuation---- SOUNDBITE: Alicia De Tamayo, resident. saying, (Spanish): "It's terrible, it really is an awful thing, I think that all the people that are in the same situation as I am must be living the same, it tears the soul." Many try to salvage what they can from the ash and the mud. But the volcano has spared little. Some residents say it's too late to recover their property. SOUNDBITE: Ana Gallegos, resident,saying, (Spanish): "It was so important that we should have come sooner because this is our whole life, working for all of this that is now squandered. I asked them so many times to bring us to see our things." All along the banks of the river Blanco, further signs of damage...the surprise volcanic eruption- the first in thousands of years- caused the river to overflow, destroying roads and buildings. Several houses tilt dangerously into the water Crews are now clearing away huge amounts of ash collected on the banks of the Blanco--- Experts believe that the volcano could continue to erupt at a less volatile pace for months or even years. Pavithra George, Reuters