Tourists flocking to erupting Mayon Volcano

Thousands of local and international tourists and scientists have been flocking to Albay province in the Philippines to view the ongoing eruption of the Mayon Volcano, which forced the evacuation of 50,000 residents in the area.

The erupting Mayon Volcano in the Philippines is attracting local and international tourists into Albay province to view the ongoing eruption of the world’s most perfect conical volcano.

Visitors have started flocking to Albay province Philippines since the volcano started acting up early this week to view the majestic Mount Mayon in actual eruption mode.

As visitors continue to arrive in the province, the local safety and emergency management office has designated strategic viewing places in the areas surrounding the volcano.

Cedric Daep of the local safety and emergency office said that large part of the city is safe from the anticipated full-blown eruption.

“Only a portion of the city is in the danger zone. Legazpi City is too far. It’s 16 kilometers away from the crater,” Daep said, encouraging more tourists to visit the province to watch the hazardous eruption of the picturesque, near perfect cone-shaped volcano.

Alert level number 3 is now in effect and remains hoisted over Mayon Volcano as thousands of families have been evacuated from the 8-kilometer danger zone.
Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum, meanwhile, told ANC that Mayon Volcano is “technically erupting.” He said that what they are on alert for is the “hazardous phase” of the volcano’s eruption.

Solidum said that based on the Phivolcs’ observations for the past 3 days, it seemed the volcano is already “moving towards the hazardous phase.”

Nearly 50,000 people have been evacuated from the radius designated by government authorities.

The provincial governor earlier warned that evacuees may spend Christmas and New Year in the evacuation centers if the volcano continues to show signs of hazardous eruption in the coming days.

The majestic Mayon Volcano is a favorite tourist attraction because of its perfect cone shape and beautiful surrounding views.

The volcano is located in southern Luzon Philippines and accessible by land, sea and air travel. Flying time from Manila to Legaspi airport in Albay where the volcano is located is approximately one hour.