Villagers can return after volcano declared safe

Tens of thousands of villagers evacuated from around the Philippines’ most active volcano are being allowed to return home after scientists gave the all clear.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology today lowered an alert on Mayon volcano from, saying there was less likelihood of a dangerous eruption.

Cedric Daep, head of the disaster management office of Albay province where the volcano is located, said most of the 47,000 evacuees have been told it was safe to return home.

The volcano began rumbling and spewing lava and smoke before Christmas and experts feared a major eruption.