Philippines volcano eruption near Manila forces thousands to flee
Thousands of people were ordered to leave their homes near a Philippines volcano on Saturday after an eruption sent ash and steam hundreds of metres into the sky. Taal volcano, which sits in a lake south of Manila, exploded with a "short-lived" burst at 7.22am, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. It said further eruptions were possible, which could trigger dangerous, fast-moving volcanic flows of gas, ash and debris, as well as a tsunami. The Taal Volcano near the Philippines capital Manila spews white steam and ash on Saturday. The agency "strongly" recommended residents living in vulnerable communities around the lake be evacuated, as it raised the alert level from two to three. The initial eruption was followed by "nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity" that sent plumes stretching 1,500 metres into the air. A phreatomagmatic eruption happens when molten rock comes into contact with underground or surface water, said Prince...