Indonesia evacuates 12,000 people, warns of tsunami after volcanic eruption

The eruption of Indonesia's Mount Ruang volcano has closed seven airports and sent ash as far away as Malaysia, according to Indonesian officials. Authorities have also evacuated thousands of people due to tsunami fears.

Ruang volcano is erupting violently. Photo: Antara

The Indonesian National Meteorological Agency (BMKG) released a map on the morning of May 1 showing that volcanic ash had spread as far as East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, where the three countries of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei meet. According to a statement from state air traffic control service provider AirNav Indonesia, the spread of volcanic ash forced the closure of seven airports, including the largest airport in Manado province.

Mount Ruang erupted three times on April 30, spewing lava and ash more than 5km into the air and forcing authorities to issue evacuation orders for 12,000 people. A rescue ship and a warship were dispatched to help evacuate thousands of people from neighboring Tagulandang island to Siau island amid warnings that part of the volcano could fall into the sea, potentially triggering a tsunami.

According to BMKG, since the first eruption on April 17, at least 3,614 houses, 2 churches and 1 school have been damaged by lava and pyroclastic ash from the volcano. The Volcanic and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has raised the status of Mount Ruang from level 3 to level 4.

KHANH MINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/indonesia-so-tan-12000-nguoi-canh-bao-song-than-do-nui-lua-phun-post737903.html