The Kanlaon volcano erupted on Tuesday morning on the Philippine island of Negros, sending a four-kilometre column of ash into the atmosphere.
The eruption began at 05:51 local time and lasted almost an hour, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Videos posted on social media showed a grey column of smoke and ash rising high above the peak of Kanlaon.
Authorities said evacuation orders were in place in areas close to the volcano after a previous eruption in December, minimising risks to the public.
“We were prepared for the eruption. Families living within a four to six kilometre radius were already evacuated during the previous eruption,” Western Negros provincial rescue official John De Asis said.
He said a three-point danger level has now been set for Kanlaon’s eruption, meaning further eruptions are likely.
Kanlaon is one of the largest volcanoes in the Philippines, with a height of 2,435 metres and a base diameter of 30 kilometres. The last time this volcano erupted was last December. About 47,000 residents were evacuated from the six-kilometre danger zone.
