Indonesia
Archipelago
Residents said they are used to Mount Sinabung's eruptions and that Monday's eruption was not as big as the previous ones, hence their reluctance to evacuate.
Mount Sinabung spews ash and thick smoke early on Wednesday as seen from Karo, North Sumatra province. (AFP/Yt Haryono)
Residents living around Mount Sinabung have disregard warnings from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s Geology Agency to not conduct any activities within 3 kilometers of the volcano’s summit following increased volcanic activity after it was dormant for five years.Sarianto from Tiga Pancur village in Karo regency still drives his pick-up truck to Gurukinayan village, a mere 1.5 km from Mount Sinabung’s base, looking for sand.
