Photos: More than 2,000 flee as Philippine volcano Taal spews toxic gas

More than 2,000 people have fled from a volcano eruption that has filled the air near the Philippine capital Manila with toxic gas. | Above: A plume of steam and ash is seen rising from Taal Volcano, in Batangas province.

Taal volcano, which sits in a picturesque lake, has been belching sulphur dioxide for several days, creating a thick haze over Manila and several surrounding provinces, and prompting health warnings.

At least 2,400 people have left their homes since the government called for evacuations of hamlets on the lake's shores, provincial disaster official Joselito Castro told AFP. | Above: A man carries feeds inside the danger zone near Taal Volcano at Agoncillo town.

"We expect more residents to evacuate over the coming days," he said, adding that they were seeking refuge either in schools closed by the coronavirus pandemic or in the homes of relatives. | Above: Policemen man a checkpoint inside the danger zone near Taal Volcano at Laurel town.

Taal lies just 50 kilometres south of Manila and for much of the past week has discharged volcanic smog that has blotted out the sun in the capital.

Civil defence officials have warned that upwards of 317,000 people could be vulnerable to toxic gas emissions from the volcano under the current eruption's worst-case scenario.

Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation hit periodically by eruptions and earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" - a zone of intense seismic activity.

A man rests at a school turned into an evacuation center at Laurel town, Batangas province.

Residents who fled their homes and stayed at a school turned into an evacuation center eat a meal at Laurel town.

A man riding his motorcyle passes by Taal Volcano, Batangas province.

General view of Taal volcano's crater lake, Batangas province. The last eruption there in January 2020 shot ash 15 kilometres high and spewed red-hot lava, crushing scores of homes, killing livestock and sending over 135,000 people into shelters.

A man rests in front of closed shops as residents evacuate to safer grounds at Agoncillo town.

A man feeds fish beside Taal Volcano in Agoncillo town, Batangas province.