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Hundreds evacuated after Indonesia's Ruang volcano erupts

Hundreds evacuated after Indonesia's Ruang volcano erupts

A handout picture taken and released by Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation on Apr 17, 2024 shows Mount Ruang releasing hot lava and smoke in Sangihe Islands as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi. (Photo: Handout/Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation/AFP)

JAKARTA: At least 800 people in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province have been evacuated after multiple eruptions of the area's Ruang volcano, which for days has spewed lava and ash clouds into the sky, the country's volcanology agency said on Wednesday (Apr 17).

The volcano, located on Ruang Island about 100km from the provincial capital Manado, first erupted on Tuesday and four more times throughout Wednesday. 

The alert level has been raised from three to four, the highest possible level in the four-tiered system.

The eruption of Mt Ruang was triggered by recent earthquakes on the island, with the mountain emitting dangerous and "explosive hot clouds" as high as 1.8km into the sky, she said.

"We must clear the island because we anticipate there could be more eruptions. No activity is allowed within four kilometres from the crater," she said.

Footage seen by Reuters showed flows of red lava streaming down the mountain, reflected in the waters below, and billowing clouds of grey ash above its crater.

Ruang island is home to about 838 residents, most of whom have now been evacuated to the nearest island Tagulandang, said Heruningtyas.

Indonesia straddles the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," an area of high seismic activity that rests atop multiple tectonic plates.

Source: Agencies/ec/fs
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