Philippine issues health warning as volcano brings smog to capital, nearby provinces

Located in a scenic lake in Batangas province near Manila, the 311m Taal is among the most active of 24 volcanoes in the Philippines. -SCREENGRAB FROM MICHELLE BEROIN/X

MANILA (Reuters): A small but restive volcano near the Philippine capital Manila spewed above average sulfur dioxide and volcanic smog on Friday (Sept 22), prompting authorities to closes schools in five cities and dozens of towns and urge people to stay indoors.

The state volcanology and seismology institute said it observed upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Taal volcano's crater lake, resulting in the emission of volcanic gases.