‘If pyroclastic flows hit, there is no chance for life’: villagers warned to keep distance from erupting Philippines volcano Mayon
An explosion from the crater at nightfall on Tuesday was capped by one of the most massive lava displays since it started erupting more than a week ago
Lava flowing from the Philippines’ most active volcano has spread up to 3km (1.86 miles) from the crater in a dazzling but increasingly dangerous eruption.
Mount Mayon has spewed lava up to 600 metres (2,000 feet) high at times since Tuesday and its ash plumes stretched up to 5km above the crater. Lava flows in two gullies had advanced down the volcano’s slopes more than a kilometre and pyroclastic flows – superheated gas and volcanic debris – had reached 5km from the crater in one area, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Wednesday morning.
An explosion from the crater on Tuesday night was capped by one of the most massive lava displays since Mayon started erupting more than a week ago. Authorities on Monday expanded the no-go zone to 8km from the crater and have warned a violent eruption may occur in hours or days, characterised by more rumblings and pyroclastic flows that will vaporise everything in their path.
At least 56,217 people were taking shelter in 46 evacuation camps Tuesday and army troops and police were helping others leave the danger zone.
Authorities, however, struggled to prevent villagers from sneaking back to check on their homes and farms and to watch a popular cockfight in Albay’s Santo Domingo town despite the risks and police patrols and checkpoints.