People in the Philippines have been forced from their homes after an active volcano spewed ash thousands of meters into the air.
The "steam-driven eruption" at Mayon volcano in Albay province started around 5pm local time on Saturday.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded an ash column 2,500 metres high.
Provincial disaster officials ordered the immediate evacuation of villages at the foot of Mayon due to the expected ashfall.
The lowest level one alert has been issued, meaning people are not allowed to stay within a six-kilometre "permanent danger zone", Phivolcs said.
Evacuees have been given shelter in local schools.
Officials said residents should protect against inhaling the ash, advising them to wear masks or cover their noses and mouths with wet clothes.
People living outside the danger zone but on the slopes of the volcano were warned to take precautions against potential roof collapses due to the weight of ash and rainfall.
Mayon last erupted in 2014.
It killed 1,200 people in February 1841 when lava flows buried a town.
