More than 300 people most at risk are move to shelters as tallest peak on Java island unleashes clouds of hot ash
Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, the highest peak on Java island, has erupted, blanketing several villages with falling ash, prompting evacuations and leading authorities to raise the alert to the highest level.
The volcano in East Java province unleashed searing clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, lava and gas that travelled up to 7km (4 miles) down its slopes several times from midday to dusk, while a thick column of hot clouds rose 2km into the air, Indonesia’s Geology Agency said in a statement.
The eruptions that unfolded throughout the day forced authorities to raise the volcano’s alert level twice, from the third-highest level to the highest, the agency said. No casualties have been reported.
More than 300 residents in the three villages most at risk in the district of Lumajang were evacuated to government shelters, said Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the national disaster mitigation agency.
