Un bambino tra gli sfollati

(EPA/DENNIS M. SABANGAN)

A Filipino boy sleeps inside a classroom turned into a temporary evacuation center at Gogon elementary school in Legazpi City, Albay province in the Bicol region of the Philippines, 16 December 2009. Ash explosions shook the restive Mayon volcano in the eastern Philippines as frightened residents fled their homes, the government said. The ashes reached as high as 500 metres above the crater. The agency said 78 volcanic earthquakes and tremors were recorded overnight and molten lava rolled down continuously from Mayon’s crater. Albay Governor Joey Salceda said more than 22,000 people had been moved to evacuation centres by late 15 December and thousands more would be evacuated within the next two days.