Remote Indonesia volcano erupts again after thousands evacuated
UPDATED
APR 19, 202
JAKARTA - A remote Indonesian volcano sent a tower of ash spewing into the sky on April 19, after nearly half a dozen eruptions earlier this week forced thousands to evacuate when molten rocks rained down on their villages.
Mount Ruang in Indonesia’s outermost region of North Sulawesi started erupting late on April 16, stirring a spectacular mix of fiery orange lava, a towering ash column and volcanic lightning.
Officials on April 19 morning said Ruang had calmed, but it started to belch ash again hours later after the authorities maintained the highest alert level and told residents to stay out of a 6km exclusion zone.
“I was very surprised, the mountain erupted again. We are scared,” said resident of neighbouring Tagulandang island Riko, 30.
The country’s volcanology agency said the eruption sent a plume of smoke 400m above the peak.
“There was an eruption of Mt Ruang, North Sulawesi” at 1706 hours local time, it said in a statement.
“The ash column was observed to be grey in colour... leaning towards the south.”
Hundreds of locals on neighbouring Tagulandang island were earlier seen cleaning up volcanic material from the harbour and their yards on April 19 morning with the help of soldiers and police officers, according to an AFP journalist.
Some described their panic and rush to safety when the eruptions began days ago.
“I evacuated. There was a house. I stayed there. And then it rained and rocks fell. I prayed: ‘God have mercy, please help me God’,” teacher Ninice Hoata, 59, told AFP on Tagulandang.
Other residents pleaded for more assistance and expressed fears of another eruption before it struck.
“We really need tarpaulin assistance as soon as possible, to temporarily cover the leaking roof,” said 64-year-old Herman Sahoa.
“We are worried there will be a follow-up (eruption) because there is information about that.”
The volcanology agency had earlier warned in a statement that the volcanic activity at Ruang was “still high” with potential dangers including flying rocks, hot clouds and lava flows.
It advised all residents to wear masks to prevent respiratory issues.
Mount Ruang in Indonesia’s outermost region of North Sulawesi started erupting late on April 16.
PHOTO: AFP
UPDATED
APR 19, 202
JAKARTA - A remote Indonesian volcano sent a tower of ash spewing into the sky on April 19, after nearly half a dozen eruptions earlier this week forced thousands to evacuate when molten rocks rained down on their villages.
Mount Ruang in Indonesia’s outermost region of North Sulawesi started erupting late on April 16, stirring a spectacular mix of fiery orange lava, a towering ash column and volcanic lightning.
Officials on April 19 morning said Ruang had calmed, but it started to belch ash again hours later after the authorities maintained the highest alert level and told residents to stay out of a 6km exclusion zone.
“I was very surprised, the mountain erupted again. We are scared,” said resident of neighbouring Tagulandang island Riko, 30.
The country’s volcanology agency said the eruption sent a plume of smoke 400m above the peak.
“There was an eruption of Mt Ruang, North Sulawesi” at 1706 hours local time, it said in a statement.
“The ash column was observed to be grey in colour... leaning towards the south.”
Hundreds of locals on neighbouring Tagulandang island were earlier seen cleaning up volcanic material from the harbour and their yards on April 19 morning with the help of soldiers and police officers, according to an AFP journalist.
Some described their panic and rush to safety when the eruptions began days ago.
“I evacuated. There was a house. I stayed there. And then it rained and rocks fell. I prayed: ‘God have mercy, please help me God’,” teacher Ninice Hoata, 59, told AFP on Tagulandang.
Other residents pleaded for more assistance and expressed fears of another eruption before it struck.
“We really need tarpaulin assistance as soon as possible, to temporarily cover the leaking roof,” said 64-year-old Herman Sahoa.
“We are worried there will be a follow-up (eruption) because there is information about that.”
The volcanology agency had earlier warned in a statement that the volcanic activity at Ruang was “still high” with potential dangers including flying rocks, hot clouds and lava flows.
It advised all residents to wear masks to prevent respiratory issues.
Volcanic material on Tagulandang island in Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on April 19.
PHOTO: AFP
Thousands evacuated
Houses elsewhere could be seen lying empty and electricity was out in parts of the island before April 19’s eruption.
Officials said on April 18 that communications had been knocked out on parts of both Ruang and Tagulandang, which is home to around 20,000 people.
Mr Sahid Samihing, a 53-year-old Tagulandang resident, said he feared his belongings would be ruined after volcanic rocks peppered his roof.
“If it’s not covered, it will destroy the house,” the father of three said.
“It was terrifying. No one would not be scared. Everybody was scared. I experienced this event directly.”
More than 6,000 residents of Tagulandang had been evacuated to the other side of the island that faces away from the crater, Joikson Sagunde, an official from the Sitaro islands disaster management agency, told AFP.
There were no reports of deaths or injuries but authorities said a day earlier they hoped to evacuate 11,000 people from the exclusion zone.
Some of those affected took cover in makeshift shelters at churches and school buildings, the AFP journalist said.
The closure of a nearby international airport in Manado city, more than 100km from the crater, was also extended to April 19 evening, national disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) spokesman Abdul Muhari said in a statement.
The alert level upheld the exclusion zone around the crater, as well as warnings about further eruptions and parts of the volcano collapsing into the sea that could cause a tsunami.
In 2018, the crater of Mount Anak Krakatoa between Java and Sumatra islands partly collapsed when a major eruption sent huge chunks of the volcano sliding into the ocean, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 400 people and injured thousands.
Mount Ruang’s last major eruption was in 2002, when residents also had to be evacuated.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
Thousands evacuated
Houses elsewhere could be seen lying empty and electricity was out in parts of the island before April 19’s eruption.
Officials said on April 18 that communications had been knocked out on parts of both Ruang and Tagulandang, which is home to around 20,000 people.
Mr Sahid Samihing, a 53-year-old Tagulandang resident, said he feared his belongings would be ruined after volcanic rocks peppered his roof.
“If it’s not covered, it will destroy the house,” the father of three said.
“It was terrifying. No one would not be scared. Everybody was scared. I experienced this event directly.”
More than 6,000 residents of Tagulandang had been evacuated to the other side of the island that faces away from the crater, Joikson Sagunde, an official from the Sitaro islands disaster management agency, told AFP.
There were no reports of deaths or injuries but authorities said a day earlier they hoped to evacuate 11,000 people from the exclusion zone.
Some of those affected took cover in makeshift shelters at churches and school buildings, the AFP journalist said.
The closure of a nearby international airport in Manado city, more than 100km from the crater, was also extended to April 19 evening, national disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) spokesman Abdul Muhari said in a statement.
The alert level upheld the exclusion zone around the crater, as well as warnings about further eruptions and parts of the volcano collapsing into the sea that could cause a tsunami.
In 2018, the crater of Mount Anak Krakatoa between Java and Sumatra islands partly collapsed when a major eruption sent huge chunks of the volcano sliding into the ocean, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 400 people and injured thousands.
Mount Ruang’s last major eruption was in 2002, when residents also had to be evacuated.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
AFP
Tagulandang (AFP) – Indonesian authorities were on alert Friday for more eruptions from a remote island volcano that forced thousands to evacuate this week, as nearby residents began clearing debris after molten rocks rained down on their villages.
Issued on: 19/04/2024
Mount Ruang erupted nearly a dozen times in 24 hours, stirring a spectacular mix of fiery orange lava, a towering ash column and volcanic lightning © Ronny Adolof BUOL / AFP
Mount Ruang erupted nearly half a dozen times in 24 hours beginning late Tuesday, stirring a spectacular mix of fiery orange lava, a towering ash column and volcanic lightning.
While officials said Ruang had started to calm Friday, authorities maintained the highest alert level of a four-tiered system, which indicates high volcanic activity.
Hundreds of locals on neighbouring Tagulandang island were seen cleaning up volcanic material from the harbour and their yards on Friday morning with the help of soldiers and police officers, according to an AFP journalist.
Some described their panic and rush to safety when the eruption began.
"I evacuated. There was a house. I stayed there. And then it rained and rocks fell. I prayed 'God have mercy, please help me God'," Ninice Hoata, a 59-year-old teacher, told AFP on Tagulandang.
White smoke of "medium to high intensity" was seen billowing up to 100 metres (328 feet) above the crater, Abdul Muhari, the national disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) spokesman said in a statement.
Other residents pleaded for more assistance.
Police officers helped locals sweep volcanic debris on the ground after eruptions at Mount Ruang © Ronny Adolof BUOL / AFP
"We really need tarpaulin assistance as soon as possible, to temporarily cover the leaking roof," said Herman Sahoa, a 64-year-old Tagulandang resident.
"We are worried there will be a follow-up because there is information about that."
Thousands evacuated
Elsewhere houses could be seen lying empty and the electricity was out in parts of the island, the journalist said.
Officials said Thursday communications had been knocked out on parts of both Ruang and Tagulandang island, which hosts around 20,000 people.
More than 6,000 residents of Tagulandang had been evacuated to the other side of the island that faces away from the crater, Joikson Sagunde, an official from the Sitaro islands disaster management agency, told AFP.
A day earlier authorities said they hoped to evacuate 11,000 people in the exclusion zone.
The closure of a nearby international airport in Manado city, more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the crater, was also extended to Friday evening, Abdul said.
Mount Ruang erupted nearly half a dozen times in 24 hours beginning late Tuesday, stirring a spectacular mix of fiery orange lava, a towering ash column and volcanic lightning.
While officials said Ruang had started to calm Friday, authorities maintained the highest alert level of a four-tiered system, which indicates high volcanic activity.
Hundreds of locals on neighbouring Tagulandang island were seen cleaning up volcanic material from the harbour and their yards on Friday morning with the help of soldiers and police officers, according to an AFP journalist.
Some described their panic and rush to safety when the eruption began.
"I evacuated. There was a house. I stayed there. And then it rained and rocks fell. I prayed 'God have mercy, please help me God'," Ninice Hoata, a 59-year-old teacher, told AFP on Tagulandang.
White smoke of "medium to high intensity" was seen billowing up to 100 metres (328 feet) above the crater, Abdul Muhari, the national disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) spokesman said in a statement.
Other residents pleaded for more assistance.
Police officers helped locals sweep volcanic debris on the ground after eruptions at Mount Ruang © Ronny Adolof BUOL / AFP"We really need tarpaulin assistance as soon as possible, to temporarily cover the leaking roof," said Herman Sahoa, a 64-year-old Tagulandang resident.
"We are worried there will be a follow-up because there is information about that."
Thousands evacuated
Elsewhere houses could be seen lying empty and the electricity was out in parts of the island, the journalist said.
Officials said Thursday communications had been knocked out on parts of both Ruang and Tagulandang island, which hosts around 20,000 people.
More than 6,000 residents of Tagulandang had been evacuated to the other side of the island that faces away from the crater, Joikson Sagunde, an official from the Sitaro islands disaster management agency, told AFP.
A day earlier authorities said they hoped to evacuate 11,000 people in the exclusion zone.
The closure of a nearby international airport in Manado city, more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the crater, was also extended to Friday evening, Abdul said.
Indonesia volcano © John SAEKI / AFP
The alert level upheld a six-kilometre (3.7-mile) exclusion zone around the crater, as well as warnings about further eruptions and parts of the volcano collapsing into the sea that could cause a tsunami.
In 2018, the crater of Mount Anak Krakatoa between Java and Sumatra islands partly collapsed when a major eruption sent huge chunks of the volcano sliding into the ocean, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 400 people and injured thousands.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".
The alert level upheld a six-kilometre (3.7-mile) exclusion zone around the crater, as well as warnings about further eruptions and parts of the volcano collapsing into the sea that could cause a tsunami.
In 2018, the crater of Mount Anak Krakatoa between Java and Sumatra islands partly collapsed when a major eruption sent huge chunks of the volcano sliding into the ocean, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 400 people and injured thousands.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".
Thousands evacuated, tsunami warning after Indonesia volcano erupts
Indonesian authorities closed an airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano Thursday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami.
Issued on: 19/04/2024
By: NEWS WIRES
Mount Ruang on the northern side of Sulawesi Island had at least five large eruptions Wednesday, causing the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation to issue its highest-level alert, indicating an active eruption.
The crater emitted white-gray smoke continuously during the day Thursday, reaching more than 500 metres (1,600 feet) above the peak.
People have been ordered to stay at least 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the 725-meter (2,378 foot) mountain. More than 11,000 people live in the affected area and were told to leave. At least 800 have done so.
An international airport in Manado city was temporarily closed Thursday as volcanic ash was spewed into the air.
“We have to close flight operations at Sam Ratulangi Airport due to the spread of volcanic ash, which could endanger flight safety,” said Ambar Suryoko, head of the regional airport authority.
Eruptions Wednesday evening spewed volcanic ash approximately 70,000 feet into the atmosphere, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre. The bureau said in a statement Thursday it was tracking and forecasting the ash dispersion.
Indonesia's volcanology center noted the risks from the volcanic eruption include the possibility that part of the volcano could collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami. In December 2018, Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano island erupted and collapsed, losing around 3/4 its volume and triggering a powerful tsunami that killed more than 400 people.
Indonesian authorities closed an airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano Thursday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami.
Issued on: 19/04/2024
Mount Ruang volcano is seen during the eruption from
Tagulandang island, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024.
© Hendra Ambalao, AP
By: NEWS WIRES
Mount Ruang on the northern side of Sulawesi Island had at least five large eruptions Wednesday, causing the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation to issue its highest-level alert, indicating an active eruption.
The crater emitted white-gray smoke continuously during the day Thursday, reaching more than 500 metres (1,600 feet) above the peak.
People have been ordered to stay at least 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the 725-meter (2,378 foot) mountain. More than 11,000 people live in the affected area and were told to leave. At least 800 have done so.
An international airport in Manado city was temporarily closed Thursday as volcanic ash was spewed into the air.
“We have to close flight operations at Sam Ratulangi Airport due to the spread of volcanic ash, which could endanger flight safety,” said Ambar Suryoko, head of the regional airport authority.
Eruptions Wednesday evening spewed volcanic ash approximately 70,000 feet into the atmosphere, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre. The bureau said in a statement Thursday it was tracking and forecasting the ash dispersion.
Indonesia's volcanology center noted the risks from the volcanic eruption include the possibility that part of the volcano could collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami. In December 2018, Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano island erupted and collapsed, losing around 3/4 its volume and triggering a powerful tsunami that killed more than 400 people.
An 1871 eruption at Mount Ruang also triggered a tsunami.
Tagulandang Island, east of the Ruang volcano, could be at risk if a collapse occurred. Its residents were among those being told to evacuate.
“People who live in the Tagulandang Island area and are within a 6-kilometre radius must be immediately evacuated to a safe place outside the 6-kilometre radius," Abdul Muhari, spokesperson of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said Thursday. “And especially those who live near the coast should be aware of the potential for incandescent rocks to erupt, hot clouds and tsunami waves that could be triggered by the collapse of a volcanic body into the sea.”
The agency said residents will be relocated to Manado, the nearest city, on Sulawesi island — a six-hour journey by boat.
Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, has 120 active volcanoes. It is prone to volcanic activity because it sits along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.
(AP)
Tagulandang Island, east of the Ruang volcano, could be at risk if a collapse occurred. Its residents were among those being told to evacuate.
“People who live in the Tagulandang Island area and are within a 6-kilometre radius must be immediately evacuated to a safe place outside the 6-kilometre radius," Abdul Muhari, spokesperson of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said Thursday. “And especially those who live near the coast should be aware of the potential for incandescent rocks to erupt, hot clouds and tsunami waves that could be triggered by the collapse of a volcanic body into the sea.”
The agency said residents will be relocated to Manado, the nearest city, on Sulawesi island — a six-hour journey by boat.
Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, has 120 active volcanoes. It is prone to volcanic activity because it sits along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.
(AP)
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