Mass evacuation of Philippine villages underway after volcanic eruption

NANILA: In the Philippines, around 87,000 people were evacuated after Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island erupted, sending an ash plume and hot gas down its slopes. While no casualties were reported, the alert level was raised, warning of potential further eruptions. The Office of Civil Defense said that mass evacuations were being urgently carried out in towns and villages nearest the western and southern slopes of Kanlaon, which were blanketed by ash.

Volcanic ash fell over a wide area, including Antique province, more than 200 kilometers across seawaters west of the volcano, reducing visibility and posing health risks. At least six domestic flights and one flight bound for Singapore were canceled, while two local flights were diverted in the region due to Kanlaon’s eruption.

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