Philippine volcano eruption sends villagers fleeing for safety

An explosive eruption at the summit vent of Kanlaon volcano, as seen from Mansalanao in Negros Occidental province, Philippines (Philippine Institute of Volcanology/AP)

A plume of hot ash and gases up to 1.8 miles high forced residents to seek shelter after a volcano erupted in the Philippines.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the latest explosion of Mount Kanlaon, on central Negros island, but authorities shut schools and imposed a night-time curfew after several villages were hit by ashfalls that clouded the the visibility of motorists and sparked health concerns.