800 People Evacuated as Volcano Erupts in Indonesia

The volcano on Ruang Island, located approximately 100 km from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted more than three times since Tuesday. Authorities have raised the alert level to the second highest following the increased activity.

Heruningtyas Desi Purnamasari, an official at Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), told Reuters about the eruption triggered by recent earthquakes on the island. She mentioned that the mountain is emitting dangerous and “explosive hot clouds” as high as 1.8 km into the sky.

Due to the increased threat, the island needs to be cleared, and no activity is allowed within four kilometres from the crater. Ruang Island is home to about 838 residents, most of whom have been evacuated to the nearest island, Tagulandang.

The official emphasized the need for evacuation, anticipating further eruptions. Indonesia is situated in the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area of high seismic activity atop multiple tectonic plates.

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