In brief
Authorities in the Philippines have ordered the evacuation of nearly 90,000 residents on Negros Island after the eruption of Mount Kanlaon, which emitted a deadly ash plume and molten material on Monday afternoon.
In a dramatic chain of events, officials reported that the volcano released a two-mile-high cloud of ash accompanied by large rocks, prompting immediate action to safeguard the populace. “This is very destructive and it can burn everything in its path, including vegetation, buildings and humans,” warned Teresito Bacolcol, the head of seismology at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Following the eruption, the alert level was raised to 3, indicating an increased likelihood of sudden and potentially more explosive eruptions, while the maximum level stands at 5. Authorities have established a danger zone extending six kilometers around the volcano. In the town of La Castellana, approximately 47,000 citizens were identified within this hazardous area. To ensure safety, the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City has been designated as the main evacuation center, equipped to host 30,000 people. Additionally, shelters have been prepared in eleven nearby villages. The Philippines' geological landscape is marked by around 100 volcanoes, with 24 considered active, as it sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Mount Kanlaon itself has a history of eruptions, occurring more than 40 times since 1866, with significant eruptions recorded in 1996 resulting in fatalities.
