Indonesia volcano erupts, spews ash 7 km into the sky

By AFP
June 03, 2024
This handout picture taken and released on May 21, 2024 by the Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic ash as seen from the monitoring post in West Halmahera, North Maluku. — AFP
This handout picture taken and released on May 21, 2024 by the Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic ash as seen from the monitoring post in West Halmahera, North Maluku. — AFP

JAKARTA: A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on Sunday, spewing an ash cloud seven kilometres into the sky as authorities warned residents to shelter indoors.

It is the latest of around 100 eruptions from the volcano since early this year.

Mount Ibu, located on Halmahera island in North Maluku province, erupted at 12.45 pm (0345 GMT), sending thick clouds of ash into the air, Geology Agency head Muhammad Wafid said in a statement.

The eruption from the volcano -- which has been at the highest alert level of the country´s four-tiered system since mid-May -- lasted for 6 minutes and 13 seconds, he added.

Ash was carried by the wind towards the volcano´s monitoring station and an evacuation shelter next to it, but “there was no panic” among the evacuees, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Abdul Muhari said in a statement Sunday.

“People have been advised to avoid outdoor activities and shelter indoors while the ash mixed with sand is still raining down,” Abdul said.