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Taal Volcano
AsiaSoutheast Asia

Manila airport suspends flights, thousands evacuate as Taal Volcano in Philippines spews ash

  • Taal Volcano in Batangas province, 66km south of Manila, is a popular tourist attraction and the only volcano in the world within a lake on an island
  • Manila airport has temporarily suspended operations, affecting dozens of international and local flights

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People take photos of a phreatic explosion from the Taal volcano, southwest of Manila in the Philippines. Photo: AFP
Agencies
A volcano just south of the Philippine capital on Sunday spewed ash and steam reaching about 15km high, resulting in flights being suspended and thousands of people in villages nearby being forced to evacuate their homes as a precautionary measure, officials said.
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A huge cloud of white and grey ash was seen billowing out of the main crater of Taal Volcano in Batangas province, 66km south of Manila, indicating it could lead to a hazardous eruption, while residents reported ash falls and showers of small stones.

The Philippine airport authority said early on Sunday evening it had suspended international and domestic flights at Manila’s international airport, affecting multiple airlines including Cathay Pacific.

Taal Volcano spews ash and smoke on Sunday, January 12. It last erupted in 1977. Photo: AP
Taal Volcano spews ash and smoke on Sunday, January 12. It last erupted in 1977. Photo: AP

“Flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been temporarily suspended due to the volcanic ash from the eruption of Taal Volcano,” the Manila International Airport Authority tweeted. Passengers were advised to coordinate with their respective airlines for details on flight schedules.

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According to Hong Kong Airport Authority and FlightRadar24, one Cathay Pacific flight is delayed at Manila airport, one turned around mid-flight and returned to Hong Kong, and one did not depart.

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