Hundreds Flee Philippine Volcano

Hundreds fled Taal volcano south of Manila on Friday as scientists warned it could erupt at any time.

Women, children and old people, carrying meager belongings, piled into small boats in the rain to escape across the spectacular crater lake surrounding the volcano island 40 miles from the capital.

“We have evacuated about half the people on the island,” Talisay Mayor Romulo Degrano said. “They are now living in our schools.”

Nearly 6,000 people live on the volcanic island, which lies inside a huge crater and, in turn, has its own smaller crater lake and island.

Taal’s last major eruption was in 1976, when hundreds of people were evacuated. A massive blast in 1911 killed nearly 1,400 people.

Hundreds of quakes shook Taal throughout Friday, and thick fog covered the volcano. An air force helicopter that flew over the volcano reported wispy smoke drifting above the crater.