Forced evacuations around Philippine volcano

LEGAZPI, Philippines: Security forces will forcibly evacuate thousands of residents reluctant to leave their farms near a smoldering volcano in the Philippines despite fears of a major eruption, officials said.

Authorities in Albay province yesterday declared a round-the-clock ban on anyone entering an 8-kilometer danger zone around the Mayon volcano, which is spewing lava and ash.

More than 33,000 of about 47,000 people have been evacuated from the zone this week, after scientists raised a five-stage alert to the third level - a signal of possible hazardous eruptions within weeks.