Thousands on alert as lava spews down Philippines’ Mayon volcano

Mayon volcano belches red-hot emissions down it’s slope as seen from Legaspi, Albay province, northeastern Philippines, Sunday, June 11, 2023. Albay was placed under a state of calamity last week to allow more rapid disbursement of emergency funds in case a major eruption unfolds. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The Philippines’ most active volcano was spewing lava down its slopes on Monday, alerting tens of thousands of people they may have to quickly flee a violent and life-threatening eruption.

More than 12,600 people have left the mostly poor farming communities within a 3.7 mile radius of Mayon volcano’s crater in mandatory evacuations since volcanic activity increased last week.