Philippines volcano eruption: Flights cancelled amid mass evacuations

Flights have been suspended after a volcano on a tourist island in the Philippines erupted, sending a plume of ash into the sky.

Taal Volcano in Batangas province, south of Manila, has blasted steam and rock up to 15,000 metres into the air in the last few days.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised the threat level from 3 to 4, meaning a hazardous eruption is imminent.

A statement said: "Hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days. (The institute) strongly reiterates total evacuation of Taal Volcano Island and additional evacuation of areas at high risk... within a 14km radius."

Manila International Airport Authority said all flights into and out of the main international airport serving the country's capital had been put on hold "due to volcanic ash in the vicinity of the airport".

A tweet said: "Flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been temporarily suspended due to the volcanic ash from the eruption of Taal Volcano."

As tremors shook the area, volcanic lightning flickered in the column of steam and ash.