JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities said Thursday they helped more than 170 climbers who were caught a day earlier by Mount Semeru’s sudden eruption to return to safety as the seismic activity of Java island’s highest volcano indicated that the eruption will continue. About 178 people, including climbers, porters, guides, tourism officials and tourists, started their way up the the 3,676-meter (12,060-foot) mountain in the Lumajang district of East Java province Wednesday and became stranded at the Ranu Kumbolo camping area.

The volcano has spewed ash clouds as tall as 5.6km (3.48 miles) into the sky, authorities say.

SURABAYA, Indonesia: A volcano on Indonesia’s main island of Java erupted on Wednesday, throwing ash and gas kilometers into the sky and forcing officials to raise the alert…