Albay province where l the beautiful but dangerous Mayon volcano is located registered an all-time high number of tourists, exceeding the past years even as volcanologists warned of its imminent danger. Mayon has been visited by an average of 2, 400 tourists per day and has registered a total of 76, 040 tourists for the month of December exceeding the 74,000 tourists who visited Albay in a year. Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said that tourists “should not be so adventurous” as this may cost them their life. Going around the vicinity of the volcano and its extended danger zone is “very dangerous” as the volcano may erupt without warning anytime now. Salceda said that red, hot lava flow and gray ashfall are dangerous signs of impending eruption that can reach up to the eight kilometer-radius around Mayon volcano. Despite the danger from Mayon's likely hazardous eruption, tourists flocked to Albay province to watch the restive volcano. Some tourists were even reported to sneak past checkpoints to venture into the danger zone to see the lava front up close. Volcanic ash that Mayon has been spewing poses a threat to the health of people and can jam aircraft engines as it continues to emit thick, gray ash as high as two kilometers into the air, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned Tuesday. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. warned aircraft pilots not to pass or hover around the volcano's peak and told tourists not to go near the danger zones particularly near the volcano's crater. “If there is a danger zone for humans, there is a similar danger zone for aircraft, particularly near the crater. We do not want aircraft getting too close there,” Solidum stressed. He appealed to pilots of small private planes, “most likely those hired by tourists,” not to venture near the mouth of the restive volcano. He explained that while commercial airline pilots are aware of the danger, there are some hired pilots who want to get a close look or take pictures of the awesome spectacle. “Mayon is beautiful but dangerous,” he said.. He said Mayon Volcano has been spewing much ash since December 14. It gave out the biggest explosion Sunday morning. It recorded seven explosions from 9 up to 12 in the morning Monday, Solidum added.
