Mount Kanlaon in central Philippines has erupted, sending a huge ash column into the sky and startling residents as the government ordered the evacuation of thousands of those living in surrounding towns and villages.
“An explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano at 3:03 pm (0703 GMT) today,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in a statement on Monday.
All
local government units are advised to evacuate the 6km (4 mile) radius from the summit of the volcano and must be prepared for additional evacuation if activity warrants,” it added.
PHIVOLCS later warned there are indications that Mount Kanlaon could erupt further in the coming days.
Images posted on social media following the eruption showed several areas near the volcano were blanketed in thick volcanic ash.
Rising more than 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) above sea level on the central island of Negros, Kanlaon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines.
