Mount Kanlaon, a volcano in the central Philippines, erupted on Monday night, sending a plume of ash and steam into the sky. The explosion prompted the evacuation of more than 700 people to safety as sirens blared in Canlaon, a city near the volcano. Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas reported that more than 150 people were in evacuation centers, with others seeking shelter with relatives. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that 796 people from 170 families were moved to evacuation centers in Canlaon and surrounding areas.
Authorities raised the alert level to two out of five, indicating a “moderate level of volcanic unrest.” The eruption forced the closure of resorts in the city to prevent injuries in case of another eruption. Police are enforcing a no-entry regulation in a 4-kilometer danger zone around the volcano.
Teresito Bacolcol of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology mentioned that ash from the eruption was scattered up to 10 kilometers away. The future behavior of Kanlaon remains uncertain, as it has erupted multiple times in recent decades. The Philippines, located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons, making it one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.
Despite the eruption, there were no reported casualties, and government officials are monitoring the situation closely to ensure the safety of residents in the affected areas.
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