15,000 evacuated as storm heads towards central Philippines

Thousands of people living around Mayon volcano in the eastern Philippine province of Albay were evacuated amid fears that an approaching storm could trigger fresh mudslides, officials said.

The compulsory evacuation came as a fresh typhoon was heading towards the central Philippines bringing heavy rains to a large area, including the Bicol region which includes Albay.

Last week, super typhoon Durian brought heavy rains and strong winds to Bicol, triggering avalanches of volcanic debris from the slopes of Mayon and burying entire villages, leaving over 1,200 people dead or missing.

Tens of thousands remain homeless and are living in crowded evacuation camps in the area, while others have returned to a moonscape of rock and debris where their villages once stood to retrieve belongings from the mud.