Evacuation in Indonesia as threat from volcano grows

Hundreds of villagers living near Mount Sinabung moved after hot ash avalanches

Mount Sinabung spews hot gas in western Indonesia. Hundreds of villagers have been evacuated as the threat from the volcano grows. Photograph: Dedi Sahputra/EPA

Mon Jun 15 2015 - 17:59

Authorities in western Indonesia are evacuating more villagers living near a volcano that's been rumbling for weeks.

Government volcanologist Gede Suantika said that at least 28 hot ash avalanches occurred at Mount Sinabung on Monday and that there are indications the crater's lava dome continues to grow in size.

Subur Tambun, head of the local disaster mitigation agency, said hundreds of residents were being evacuated from three villages.

Mr Subur said 99 families were moved from a village on Saturday when the mountain released a new powerful burst, sending hot ash as far as 2km down its southeastern slopes.

Threat status

Authorities have been monitoring 2,460m-high Mount Sinabung on Sumatra island closely since June 2nd, when its threat status was raised to the highest alert level.