Asia

Asia

Tens of thousands flee as Philippines volcano spews ash three miles high

24 January 2018 20:26 (UTC +04:00)

On Wednesday, the Philippines’ disaster agency announced that more than 61,000 people have been displaced by the flaming eruption of Mount Mayon, which began showing signs of activity a couple of weeks ago, APA reports quoting sputniknews.

According to the country's officials, more than 70,000 residents are seeking shelter in schools and other buildings, a number that has almost doubled after the past few days. There were five reported episodes of "intense but sporadic lava fountaining from the summit crater" overnight Tuesday, with ash clouds as high as three miles, the state's volcanology office reported.

On Monday, volcanologists extended the no-go zone from 3.7 miles to 5.6 miles from the crater. Many residents living beyond the no-go zone have also fled to avoid breathing volcanic ash.

"They were not in the danger zone but they are scared," said Cedric Daep, head of Albay Province's civil defense office, AFP reported.

According to relief officials, in many shelters, people are sleeping on floors and as many as 50 people are forced to share a single toilet. Some shelters do not have any toilets at all.

"They are saying that the local government will provide [portable toilets] but until now, there are still none," said Maria Evelyn Grollo, who manages a shelter on the outskirts of Legazpi city.