Over 300 Families Evacuated After Mayon Pyroclastic Flow

MANILA, Philippines — More than 300 families were evacuated from areas near Mayon Volcano in Albay province after a pyroclastic density current triggered by the collapse of lava deposits sent massive ash clouds billowing over dozens of villages on Saturday evening.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that huge lava deposits on the volcano's southwestern slope cascaded down before nightfall, producing an avalanche of hot rocks, ash and gas. No explosive eruption occurred, and there were no deaths or injuries, though the event caught residents off guard. Ash blanketed 87 villages across three towns, reducing visibility to near zero on major roads and disrupting traffic, officials said. "The ashfall was just so thick and there was zero visibility even on our national road," said Caloy Baldo, mayor of Camalig town near the volcano's foothills. Some villagers panicked, but authorities urged calm.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development later reported that 1,438 families, or 5,440 individuals, were sheltering in 14 evacuation centers by Sunday, with another 26 families displaced among relatives. Over 26,600 households in Albay were affected overall...