Albay Governor Joey Salceda is banning all human activity within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mayon Volcano after 4 climbers were killed during an ash explosion.

Salceda said the banned activities include climbing, farming, orchid gathering and ATV tour guides.

He said there was no warning of the steam explosion Tuesday morning but noted that a hard rain had affected the area on Monday.

Volcano tour guide Kenneth Jesalva, who went up the volcano with seven others on Monday, later said four people including 3 foreigners died after being crushed by large rocks brought about by the explosion.

ANC, May 7, 2013