Jul 31, 2007, 7:31 GMT
Manila - A restive volcano in the eastern Philippines erupted on Tuesday, spewing ash at least 5 kilometres into the air, the government said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the ash column from the eruption of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province, 375 kilometres south-east of Manila, led to suspension of schools in affected areas.
'The eruption column reached a maximum height of 5 kilometres,' PHIVOLCS said in a bulletin. 'The activity was accompanied by rumbling sounds and was reflected as an explosion-type earthquake.'
There were no reports of damage or casualties from the incident, but PHIVOLCS warned people from breaching the 4-kilometre-radius permanent danger zone from the top of the volcano.
The mushroom-like cloud of ash was seen from as far as Legazpi City in nearby Albay province, more than 50 kilometres from Bulusan.
'Bulusan Volcano continues to be in a state of unrest as evidenced by swarms of small to moderate-sized earthquakes and the explosion this morning,' PHIVOLCS said.
The agency also urged people residing near rivers and streams around Bulusan to be on alert against 'life threatening volcanic mudflows during heavy rains.'
The provincial government of Sorsogon has not yet ordered an evacuation of residents living near the volcano, but it put its disaster relief council on high alert.
The 1,565-metre Bulusan is one of the country's most active volcanoes. It has erupted 15 times since records have been kept, most recently in 1995.
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