Updated
A volcano near the Philippines capital spewed ash up to 15 kilometres into the sky on Sunday (local time), prompting the evacuation of thousands of people, the cancellation of flights and warnings of a possible explosive eruption and volcanic tsunami.
Key points:
- Taal lake is popular weekend getaway from the capital city of Manila
- 8,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, 6,000 are already out of the danger zone
- Ash fell as far away as Manila, prompting the suspension of flights
Taal volcano, one of the country’s most active, is in the middle of a lake about 70 kilometres south of the centre of the capital, Manila.
As tremors shook the area, volcanic lightning flickered in the column of steam and ash.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised its alert level to 4 out of 5 — meaning “hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days”.
Phivolcs also warned of possible hazards of a volcanic tsunami and rapid currents of hot gas and volcanic matter that could hit areas around the Taal lake, a popular weekend getaway from Manila.
@AnneABarker One of the world’s smallest volcanoes – Taal – has erupted in spectacular fashion in the Philippines, forcing 6,000 people to evacuate homes and the suspension of flights from Manila for several hours
Evacuation of about 8,000 residents of the volcano island and other high-risk towns is underway, with about 6,000 already out of the danger zone as of early Sunday evening (local time), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council told reporters.
Ash fell as far away as Manila, prompting the suspension of flights at the capital’s busy international airport.
The airport’s general manager said the suspension would continue into Monday because there was ash on the runway.
Local authorities cancelled school classes scheduled for Monday and urged people to stay indoors.
President Rodrigo Duterte had instructed authorities to move people within the perimeter of Taal out of the danger zone, his spokesman said in a statement.
The ash plume was clearly visible from the nearby city of Tagaytay, a well-frequented viewing spot for the volcano.
“We were having lunch when we heard rumbling. We saw the volcano erupting. It rained and some small pebbles fell to the ground,” a restaurant customer in Tagaytay told Reuters.
“I did not expect to see such spectacle. We just went by to eat.”
Reuters
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