Thousands in Philippines flee as volcano spews lava

A province in the central Philippines on Tuesday declared a state of calamity as a lava-spewing volcano sent more than 34,000 people fleeing for shelter. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the lava flowed as far as 1.2 miles from Mount Mayon, and ash fell over several villages in the Albay province. The volcano began to erupt Saturday. The volcanology institute continued to record tremors, and warned the volcano’s activity signified a possible eruption within days or weeks. The calamity declaration will give the province faster access to disaster funds. Jukes Nunez, a provincial disaster response official, said at least 34,083 people fled two cities and six towns to seek shelter in evacuation centers. Officials advised people to avoid the danger zone around Mount Mayon that ranges between 3.7 and 4.3 miles.