Approximately 87,000 people have been evacuated in the Philippines following a brief yet intense eruption of Mount Kanlaon on Monday. The eruption featured a massive ash cloud and rapidly descending lava.
Currently, there are no reported casualties, but the alert level has been raised due to the possibility of further eruptions. The ashfall covers a vast area, affecting visibility and posing health risks up to 200 kilometers west of the volcano.
The eruption has also disrupted air travel, causing several flights to be canceled and others rerouted. Schools in affected areas are closed, and a curfew has been imposed to prevent looting.
The Philippines is situated on the “Ring of Fire,” a seismically active region around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions commonly occur. Mount Kanlaon is one of the 24 most active volcanoes in the Philippines and previously erupted in June this year, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
Source: NOS