Volcano erupts near Manila; airport shut, villagers flee (update)

Lightning flashes as Taal Volcano erupts Sunday (Jan 12) in Tagaytay, Cavite province, outside Manila. A tiny volcano near the Philippine capital that draws many tourists for its picturesque setting in a lake belched steam, ash and rocks in a huge plume Sunday, prompting thousands of residents to flee and officials to temporarily suspend flights. - AP

TAGAYTAY (Philippines): A small volcano near the Philippine capital that draws many tourists for its picturesque setting in a lake erupted with a massive plume of ash and steam on Sunday (Jan 12), prompting thousands of people to flee and officials to shut Manila’s international airport.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Taal Volcano in Batangas province south of Manila blasted steam, ash and pebbles up to 10 to 15km (6 to 9 miles) into the sky in a dramatic escalation of its growing restiveness, which began last year.