In Pictures

In Pictures: Taal volcano spews lava, sends ash clouds into sky

Tens of thousands of people evacuated amid fears of a major volcanic eruption near the Philippine capital of Manila.

Residents living along Taal lake catch fish as Taal volcano erupts in Tanauan town, Batangas province south of Manila on January 14, 2020. - Taal volcano in the Philippines could spew lava and ash for — Residents fishing on Taal lake as the volcano erupts in Tanauan town, Batangas province. [Ted Aljibe/AFP]

Red-hot lava spewed from a volcano near the Philippine capital of Manila on Monday as tens of thousands of people fled through heavy ash and frightening tremors, and authorities made plans to evacuate hundreds of thousands more for fear of a bigger eruption.

Clouds of ash from the Taal volcano reached Manila, 65km (40 miles) to the north, on Sunday, forcing the shutdown of the country’s main airport, with more than 500 flights cancelled. The airport partially reopened on Monday after the ashfall eased.

There were no immediate reports of any deaths or major damage directly blamed on the eruption. A truck, however, skidded out of control on an ash-blanketed road, killing the driver and injuring three companions in Laguna province in an accident police said may have been linked to slippery conditions.

The government’s disaster-response agency and other officials reported more than 30,000 villagers fled their homes in the hard-hit province of Batangas and nearby Cavite province. Officials expected the number to swell.

Residents walk past wooden boats as Taal volcano erupts, in Tanauan town, Batangas province south of Manila on January 13, 2020. - Lava and broad columns of ash illuminated by lightning spewed from a — Lava and broad columns of ash grounded hundreds of flights as authorities warned of a possible "explosive eruption". [Ted Aljibe/AFP]

A family evacuates to safer grounds as Taal volcano in Tagaytay, Cavite province, southern Philippines on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) — A family evacuates to safer areas. [Aaron Favila/AP Photo]

A family rides their motorcycle through clouds of ash as they evacuate to safer grounds as Taal volcano in Tagaytay, Cavite province, southern Philippines on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Red-hot lava is gus — Tens of thousands of people fled through heavy ash and frightening tremors. [Aaron Favila/AP Photo]

A worker walks past plants covered with mud and ash after Taal volcano erupted, in Talisay town, Batangas province south of Manila on January 13, 2020. - Lava and broad columns of ash illuminated by l — A worker in the midst of plants covered with mud and ash from the eruption. [Ted Aljibe/AFP]

Trees are covered with falling ash from the Taal volcano in Tagaytay, Cavite province, southern Philippines on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Red-hot lava is gushing from the volcano after a sudden eruption o — There were no immediate reports of any deaths or major damage directly associated with the eruption. [Aaron Favila/AP Photo]

Evacuees from towns affected by the eruption of Taal volcano queue up at an evacuation center in Tanauan town, Batangas province south of Manila on January 14, 2020. - Taal volcano in the Philippines — People from towns affected by the eruption of Taal volcano queue up at an evacuation center in Tanauan, south of Manila. [Ted Aljibe/AFP]

Villagers take shelter inside a church during an eruption of Taal Volcano, in Talisay, Batangas, Philippines, 12 January 2020. Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate as authorities in the — More than 30,000 villagers fled their homes in the hard-hit province of Batangas and nearby Cavite province. [Francis R. Malasig/EPA]

Villagers ride a tractor after a volcano eruption in Talisay, Batangas, Philippines, 13 January 2020. Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate as authorities in the Philippines raised the ale — Officials expected the number of people fleeing to safer areas to increase. [Mark R. Cristino/EPA]

A view of a lightning strike over Taal Volcano during an eruption, in Talisay, Batangas, Philippines, 12 January 2020. Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate as the authorities in the Phili — Frequent tremors and a buildup of pressure of the volcano indicates a major and much more dangerous eruption could still happen. [Francis R. Malasig/EPA]