The capital (and only town), Plymouth, was destroyed in August 1997. Increased pyroclastic activity killed 19 people on 25 June 1997. More than half of the island will probably remain uninhabitable for decades or more. Since volcanic activity began the human population on the island has declined from about 12,000 to about 5,000. Most residents went to live overseas at the height of the volcanic activity, but many have since returned.