According to Reuters, at least 14,000 people were evacuated from the central Philippines due to a volcanic eruption. Authorities warned that those affected may need to stay away from their homes for months. Last week, the 2,462m Mayon volcano was elevated to a high alert level after powerful tremors and numerous rockfall incidents. Subsequently, bright molten lava was observed oozing slowly out of the crater.
According to the data presented by the disaster agency, 14,000 people have been displaced and are currently taking refuge in educational institutions and communal centres.
The authorities are warning those living in the outer regions of the volcano to stay alert and be prepared to evacuate. The police have also established checkpoints to prevent people from returning to their homes unnecessarily.
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Mayon is renowned for its almost perfect conical shape and has become a major tourism destination.
The Mayon Volcano in the Philippines has been known to be one of the most active, having gone off more than 50 times in 400 years. Its most devastating eruption was in 1841, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and a town being buried by lava flows. The Philippines is situated in the Pacific region known as the “Ring of Fire”, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are usually frequent occurrences.
