- Eruption in the Philippines urges people to look out for shelter
- The issue with this volcano goes back to September
Eruption in the Philippines urges people to look out for shelter
A volcano erupted in the central Philippines on Monday, spewing a huge column of ash into the sky. The government has called for the evacuation of surrounding villages.
Kanlaon volcano, located on the central island of Negros, is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines and is more than 2 400 meters above sea level.
"An explosion occurred at the summit of Kanlaon volcano at 15.03 hrs (09.03 hrs EDT) today," the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement.
The issue with this volcano goes back to September
"All local government units are advised to evacuate within a six-kilometer radius of the volcano's summit and to prepare for additional evacuations if necessary," it added.
Nearby residents posted footage on social media showing a giant mass of grey smoke billowing over the Kanlaon crater.
According to the seismological service, the column of smoke rose to a height of 3 000 metres above the crater, with hot ash and other material falling on the south-eastern slope. This activity means that "magma eruption has started, with the possibility of new explosive eruptions".
Hundreds of people living around the volcano were evacuated in September, and the volcano emitted thousands of tonnes of toxic gases in one day.
Based on ELTA reports
