Volcanic eruption in the Philippines, 5 people died

A volcano in the central Philippines erupted today, killing at least five people and injuring seven.

Mayon, located in Albay Province, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. It erupted abruptly when about 20 people were climbing to its top. All survivors stuck near the crater, the AP reported.

Smoke, dust and steam rose from the volcano Mayon on May 7. (Photo: AP)

"Today we don't see clouds above the Mayon volcano. It doesn't make a sound in the morning," said Joey Salceda, the head of Albay province.

Rescue forces and many helicopters went to the Mayon volcano to search for the bodies of the dead and rescue the survivors.

Kenneth Jesalva, a guide in the climbing team, told the ABS-CBN television on the phone that five people died because of the big kick. They include a German, an Austrian and a Filipino.

"We spent the night on the mountain. Suddenly the volcano shook in the early morning and large rocks like apartments rushed towards the victims," the guide said.

7 people, including several foreign tourists and some Filipino guides, were injured.

Renato Solidum, director of the Philippines Volcanic and Seismic Institute, said the May 7 eruption was Mayon's normal activity. It has erupted about 40 times in the last 400 years.

About 340km southeast of Manila, Mayon volcano is famous for its almost perfect round mouth. This is its first eruption in three years.