More than 2,100 people are evacuated due to volcano eruption in Indonesia

2024-04-20 04:02:01

MANADO, Indonesia (AP) — More than 2,100 people living near an erupting volcano on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi were evacuated Friday due to the danger of scattered ash, falling rocks, pyroclastic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami. .

Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center recorded at least three eruptions since Friday followingnoon, with the maximum height of the eruptive column reaching 1,200 meters (3,900 feet).

An international airport in the city of Manado, less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Mount Ruang, remains temporarily closed due to volcanic ash spewed into the air.

Satellite images from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency show that the ash has spread to the west, northwest, northeast and southeast, covering Manado and North Minahasa, according to a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Transport.

“We continue to monitor the evolution of the Mount Ruang eruption and coordinate with interested parties (…) to foresee the necessary measures to guarantee the safety and comfort of flights,” declared Ambar Suryoko, director of the regional airport authority.

More than 11,000 people were urged to leave their homes in the affected area. A joint team of local authorities combed the villages surrounding the volcano and evacuated residents to safer areas by boat.

Authorities are concerned that part of the volcano might collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami, as occurred in another eruption in 1871.

Homes, roads and other buildings were covered in volcanic ash, and many roofs had been broken by debris thrown up by the eruption.

Mount Ruang recorded at least five major eruptions on Wednesday, prompting the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to issue its highest alert level. People were ordered to stay at least 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) away from the 725-meter (2,378-foot)-high mountain.

According to the observation made on Friday by the agency, white smoke of medium to dense intensity was coming out of the main crater.

To the east of the volcano, Tagulandang Island might be in danger if a landslide were to occur. Its inhabitants are among those who have received the evacuation order. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said residents would be relocated to Manado, a 6-hour boat trip.

Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, has 120 active volcanoes. It is prone to volcanic activity because it is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a series of horseshoe-shaped seismic faults that encircle the Pacific Ocean.

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Tarigan reported from Jakarta.

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