Mass Evacuation Ordered as Mount Kanlaon Erupts in the Philippines

Authorities raise alert levels, warning residents of potential dangers from the active volcano.

The Philippines is facing an urgent crisis as the authorities initiated a mass evacuation of nearly 90,000 residents from the island of Negros following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon. This event took place on Monday afternoon, unleashing a torrent of ash, lava, and large rocks, reaching heights of over two miles.

Teresito Bacolcol, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, provided dire warnings about the eruption's destructive power, indicating that it poses a threat to life, property, and flora in the vicinity. He stated emphatically, “This can kill,” highlighting the critical need for caution as the situation evolves.

In light of the eruption, authorities elevated the volcano's alert level from 2 to 3, citing the heightened risk of more violent explosions in the upcoming days. The highest possible alert level is 5. A danger zone has been established within a six-kilometer radius of the volcano, effectively marking a no-entry zone for nearby residents.

Approximately 47,000 people from the upland town of La Castellana are impacted, with the Office of Civil Defense currently monitoring the situation. The Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City has been designated as the main evacuation center, with a capacity to hold 30,000 evacuees. Additionally, shelters have been established in eleven surrounding villages to accommodate those fleeing the volcanic threat.

The Philippines is home to around 100 volcanoes, 24 of which are active, all sitting upon the Pacific Ring of Fire—a region renowned for its significant geological activity. Mount Kanlaon has a long history of eruptions, having erupted over 40 times since 1866. Notably, an eruption in 1996 tragically claimed the lives of three hikers, a stark reminder of the volcano's potential for destruction.