[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Taal Volcano near Manila, the capital of the Philippines, has erupted.
On the 13th, operations at Manila Airport were suspended due to volcanic ash and other effects from the Taal Volcano eruption the previous day. The Philippine government also announced the closure of the stock market on the same day. According to foreign media, volcanic activity at the famous tourist destination Taal Volcano in the Tagaytay area intensified from the previous day, prompting residents and tourists to evacuate.
Foreign media reported that the Taal Volcano suddenly emitted volcanic ash and steam, rising up to 15 km into the sky the previous day.
The Philippine government is issuing warnings about the possibility of further volcanic eruptions.
An official from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said, "Taal Volcano has a volcano within a volcano structure," adding, "It is a small but dangerous volcano."
Taal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. It has erupted more than 30 times in the past 500 years, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1977. During the 1911 eruption, 1,500 people died.
Aviation officials stated that volcanic ash and other debris accumulated on the runways at Manila Airport, causing flight operations to be suspended.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte decided to close government offices and schools in response to the volcanic eruption. In Manila, concerns over damage to lungs from volcanic ash led people to line up to buy masks. The Manila city authorities urged citizens to stay indoors and to wear masks when going outside.
Local authorities in the Philippines have imposed a complete ban on access to areas near the volcano. It is estimated that around 6,000 to 10,000 people reside in the surrounding area.
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