Philippines raises alert level for volcano after 'explosive eruption'

The alert level for a Philippine volcano was raised Monday after an "explosive eruption" sent a plume of ash and steam five kilometres (three miles) into the sky, the volcanology agency said.

Mount Kanlaon on the central island of Negros erupted shortly before 7:00 pm (1100 GMT), prompting warnings for nearby residents to wear facemasks due to the threat of falling ash.