Philippine’s Kanlaon volcano erupts, prompts emergency evacuations

ANKARA

A volcano in the central Philippines erupted on Monday for the second time this year, spewing columns of ash into the sky, and prompting authorities to order emergency evacuations.

Mt Kanlaon, an active volcano straddling the country's central provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, has erupted for the second time this year, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

It sent ash clouds up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) into the sky, and currently is under Alert Level 3, meaning there is an increased risk of lava flows and the potential for a hazardous eruption within weeks.

Phivolcs said the explosive eruption happened at 3.03 pm local time, producing a “voluminous plume” 4 kilometers high that “rapidly rose” above Kanlaon’s summit vent.

It advised all local government units within a 6-kilometer radius of the volcano to implement mandatory evacuation. The agency added that the public “must be prepared for additional evacuation” if needed.

According to the country’s Civil Defense Office, emergency evacuations are underway for people living near the volcano but did not elaborate on the figures.

The volcano has been under tight watch since last week following several ash emission events.

Authorities warned the public, especially those living near its permanent danger zone, to take “extra caution and be vigilant with the latest eruption.”

The Philippines is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common.