Thousands of villagers evacuated from near the Philippines' most active volcano headed home Saturday after scientists said the rumbling mountain was showing signs it was calming down.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology early Saturday lowered a five-stage alert over Mayon volcano from level 4 to 3, saying there was "less probability of a hazardous explosive eruption".
Most of the 47,000 evacuees whose homes are within an 8km danger zone have been told it is safe to return home, said Cedric Daep, head of the disaster management office of Albay province, about340km southeast of Manila.
Only about 5,000 whose homes are on the southeastern slope of the volcano and in the path of lava flows remained in shelters, he said.
Chief state volcanologist Renato Solidum said scientists were closely monitoring the volcano and will raise the alert in case of a resurgence of activity.
"At the moment, the activity of the volcano is declining, but the volcanic unrest is still high," he said.
AP