大象传媒

The authorities in the Philippines have warned people living within eight kilometres of the erupting Mayon volcano to be prepared for a possible evacuation from their homes as it continues to ooze lava and noxious gases.

At least 14,000 people living within a six-kilometre radius have already been ordered to stay in shelters as officials warned that many of them may be displaced for months.

Police have set up checkpoints to prevent evacuated residents from trying to return to their homes amid fears the volcanic activity may intensify in the coming days.

Dr Teresito Bacolcol is the director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. He told Newsday: 鈥淢ayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines. Since 1616 there have been 52 eruptions鈥�the last time it erupted was in 2018鈥�and it resulted in the formation of a dense five kilometre tall eruption column鈥�It was reported that over 10,000 farmers suffered more than $3.8 million worth of damage to rice, corn and crops and close to 100,000 people were also displaced.鈥�

(Picture: Shows Mount Mayon volcano spewing lava on June 13, 2023. Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.)

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