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This article was reproduced with the kind permission
of the British Broadcasting Corporation

 


The BBC's John McLean
"Huge red hot boulders and super-heated ash were sent racing down the mountain side"
 real 56k

Vulcanologist Dr Raymundo Punongbayan
"This volcano will be active for many generations from now"
  real 28k


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Monday, 25 June, 2001, 10:13 GMT 11:13 UK
Philippines volcano may erupt 'for weeks'

Evacuees load supplies onto a truck
Evacuation procedures have gone smoothly so far

Philippines vulcanologists say eruptions at Mount Mayon in the central Philippines could go on for weeks.

More than 25,000 people have fled the area after days of gentle activity ended with a powerful eruption on Sunday, sending geysers of rocks, lava and flaming ash shooting up from the crater.


Mayon has no history of erupting only for a day - the danger is not over
Vulcanologist Eduardo Laguerta
But a lull in activity on Monday has encouraged some villagers to return to their homes, prompting warnings about the continuing danger.

Scientists say there could be a more explosive and hazardous eruption any time in the next few days.

Part of the crater is showing visible signs of weakening and may give way at any time, unleashing more lava.

Lava flows

Local vulcanologist Eduardo Laguerta said: "It's not yet time to go back. The danger is not over."
A fountain of lava over Mount Mayon on Sunday
The volcano produces an 800 metre fountain of lava and gas

The authorities fear tropical rains could send a sudden flow of mud shooting down the mountainside.

In 1814, 1,200 people were killed and an entire town was buried in volcanic mud from Mount Mayon.

But despite the danger many people have been returning to their homes.

Overcrowding

They complain of overcrowding and a lack of facilities in the evacuation centres set up in nearby towns. Up to 15 families have been forced to share a room in converted schools, evacuees said.

Animals grazing in a field near Mount Mayon
People have left their belongings and animals behind
There are also reports of shortages of food and water at the centres.

Emergency workers, police and troops have been trying to stop people from heading homeward but one relief worker said: "No matter how much you try to stop them, they still wanted to go back."

The volcano is one of the most active in the Philippines. The most recent eruption was in 2000.

BBC correspondent John MacLean says that the precautions taken that year by the authorities ensured that nobody was killed, in spite of the violence of that eruption - which is a remarkable achievement by local standards.

He says the authorities were so confident of their ability to manage the effects of the eruption that they have even been trying to promote it as a tourist attraction.