CANLAON CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of residents in the Philippines are fleeing their homes as the Kanlaon volcano emits harmful gases, prompting officials to issue warnings of a potential eruption.
On Tuesday, approximately 300 individuals from villages within a four-kilometer radius of the volcano’s crater were evacuated as a precautionary measure, according to local government officials. The evacuees are currently taking shelter in schools and community centers, away from the looming threat of the volcano.
“People from villages near the foot of the volcano have been complaining about the strong smell of sulfur,” said Edna Lhou Masicampo, the city information officer. Many of the affected residents are farmers, whose livelihoods may be at risk.
Due to the escalating threat, classes have been suspended, and several tourist sites in the city of roughly 60,000 people have also closed their doors.
Recent monitoring has revealed a dramatic increase in sulfur dioxide emissions from Kanlaon, which nearly tripled to 9,985 tonnes on Tuesday—the highest recorded since monitoring began. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has warned that this heightened activity could lead to “eruptive unrest,” placing residents in four nearby villages at risk from rapidly moving ash clouds and falling debris.
Kanlaon, which rises over 2,400 meters (nearly 8,000 feet) above sea level, is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines and has erupted 15 times in the past nine years. Notably, a tragic incident in August 1996 resulted in the deaths of three hikers due to ash ejection from the volcano.
In response to the current situation, PHIVOLCS raised the alert level for Kanlaon from one to two on a scale of zero to five in June, indicating that more explosive eruptions could be imminent.
The Philippines, situated on the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it particularly vulnerable to volcanic activity. As the situation develops, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared for further evacuations if necessary.
