Lava cascaded down the Philippines´ most active volcano earlier today as authorities rushed to evacuate thousands ahead of a possible deadly eruption.
Mostly women, children and the elderly carrying bags of clothes were hauled out of farming villages near Mayon volcano´s slopes on board army trucks and minibuses.
Soldiers went from house to house asking residents to evacuate, after authorities yesterday raised the third highest alert in a five-step scale, meaning a full-scale eruption is possible “within weeks”.
Before dawn today Mayon´s crater glowed red as molten rocks flowed as far as halfway down its slopes.
At least 8,000 of the target 50,000 people had been moved to temporary shelters, with the operation expected to run for three days, regional civil defence director Bernardo Alejandro told the media.
