Philippine volcano erupts:
Thousands flee
PHILIPPINES: Thousands of people in the Philippines fled their homes
as a volcano erupted on Monday, sending a spectacular column of ash high
into the sky, residents said. The eruption of Bulusan, a 1,559-metre
volcano, turned mid-morning into night for about 20 minutes across
largely farming areas around its slopes, regional army spokesman Major
Harold Cabunoc told AFP.
“There was a major ashfall. There was zero visibility,” Cabunoc said.
State volcanologist Ramil Vaquilar told AFP that rumbling sounds
accompanied the ash column that rose between two and 2.5 kilometres
(1.2-1.6 miles) above the crater.
About 2,000 residents were evacuated from three farming villages in
the area as the government banned people from within four kilometres of
the crater, said Lieutenant-Colonel Santiago Enginco, the local army
commander. Thirty-eight high school students were treated for ashfall
inhalation, Enginco said.
Volcanic ash can cause nose, throat, eye or skin irritation as well
as contaminate tap water, while prolonged exposure can cause lung
disease, according to the health ministry.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology director Renato
Solidum said on national television that planes should avoid the skies
over Bulusan, as ash might clog jet engines.
However the area is not widely used in the aviation industry.
Bulusan is among 23 active volcanoes in the Philippines, which is
located in the so-called Ring of Fire of volcanic activity around the
Pacific.
Bulusan, 360 kilometres southeast of Manila, last erupted between
March and June of 2006.
Manila, Tuesday, AFP
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