‘Don’t enter Taal permanent danger zone’

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities yesterday reminded the public to refrain from entering the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone of the Taal volcano, which remains on alert level 1.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said authorities had detected a volcanic earthquake in Taal during the past 24-hour observation period.

A hazardous eruption, however, is not imminent.

“The main crater should be strictly off-limits because sudden steam explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate,” NDRRMC said.

The northern part of the volcano’s main crater rim in the vicinity of Daang Kastila trail may be hazardous when steam emission increases, it added. 

Meanwhile, state scientists also monitored a volcanic earthquake in Mayon volcano in Albay during the past 24-hour observation period. The volcano is also on alert level 1.

“Active stream and river channels and those identified as perennially lahar-prone areas on all sectors of the volcano should be avoided,” NDRRMC said.