Milan, May 4 (LaPresse) – Philippine authorities report that more than 300 families have been evacuated after enormous amounts of ash were released from Mayon volcano over the weekend due to the collapse of lava deposits from its slopes. No explosive eruption of the mountain occurred; it has been erupting mildly and intermittently since January. However, the director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that huge lava deposits on its southwestern flank suddenly collapsed in an avalanche of incandescent rocks, ash and gas on Saturday afternoon. No deaths or injuries have been reported, but heavy ashfall has affected 87 villages across three municipalities. Firefighters and rescue teams have been deployed to the region to assist the population. The volcano, which became active again last Monday, is located in Albay Province, about 330 kilometers southeast of Manila.
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