Philippine volcano continues to spew lava and gases; 14,000 residents evacuated | World News

At the least 14,000 individuals evacuated from round a volcano spewing lava and noxious gases within the central Philippines could stay displaced from their houses for months, authorities warned on Tuesday.

Incandescent lava was seen flowing slowly from the mouth of the two,462-metre (8,077-foot) Mayon volcano, which was positioned on a excessive alert degree final week following seismic tremors and lots of of rockfall occasions.

"Based mostly on our earlier experiences, this volcanic exercise could persist for just a few months," Teresito Bacolcol, chief of the state volcanology and seismology company, informed DZMM radio, including that residents often residing inside a 6 km radius of the volcano must keep in evacuation centres.

Roughly 14,000 individuals have been evacuated and are sheltering in faculties and neighborhood centres, catastrophe company knowledge present.

Larry Llenaresas, a neighborhood chief in Albay province, informed DZMM radio there was a necessity for extra meals and consuming water for the displaced.

Authorities mentioned individuals residing additional away from the volcano must also be prepared for attainable evacuation, with the police inserting checkpoints to forestall residents from returning.

"We are going to be sure that evacuees can't return till they're suggested to take action," police regional director Westrimundo Obinque informed reporters.

Mayon is a vacationer attraction due to its close to near-perfect conical form.

Dorothy Colle, a provincial tourism official, mentioned whereas the no-go zone was being enforced, individuals have been nonetheless flocking to remark stations to witness lava flows, which seem notably vibrant at night time.

(Vulnerable to volcanic exercise! See images: Solely ash, shells of houses left on Philippine volcano island)

Mayon is among the many most lively of the Philippines' 24 volcanoes, having erupted greater than 50 occasions within the final 4 centuries. Its most damaging eruption got here in February 1841 when lava flows buried a city and killed 1,200 individuals. The Philippines is within the Pacific "Ring of Fireplace," the place volcanic exercise and earthquakes are widespread.