Philippine volcano forces 56,000 people to flee

A huge column of ash shoots up to the sky during the eruption of Mayon volcano has seen around 340 kilometres (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines.

The Philippines' most active volcano erupted Monday prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to raise the Alert level to 4 from last week's alert level 3.

The Philippines' most active volcano spewed fountains of red-hot lava and massive ash plumes anew Tuesday in a dazzling but increasingly dangerous eruption that has sent 56,000 villagers fleeing to evacuation centres.

Lava fountains gushed up 700 meters (2,300 feet) above Mount Mayon's crater and ash plumes rose up to 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) at night and at least twice Tuesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Authorities warned a violent eruption may occur in hours or days, characterized by more rumblings and pyroclastic flows — superheated gas and volcanic debris that race down the slopes at high speeds, vaporizing everything in their path.

At least 56,217 people were taking shelter in 46 evacuation camps Tuesday and army troops and police were helping move more villagers from their homes, officials said, reports ABC News.