Philippines evacuates 87,000 as Mount Kanlaon erupts with ash and gas

A major eruption of Mount Kanlaon in the central Philippines has led to the evacuation of about 87,000 people. The volcano released a large ash plume and superhot gas, prompting authorities to raise the alert level due to the risk of further eruptions. Volcanic ash has affected visibility and health in areas as far as 200 kilometers away. Six domestic flights and one international flight were canceled, and schools have been closed in vulnerable regions. Evacuation centers are being set up as disaster-response teams mobilize. The eruption, lasting nearly four minutes, created a pyroclastic flow, which can be extremely dangerous. The alert level is now at the third-highest, indicating potential for more explosive activity. Mount Kanlaon is one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes.