The Indonesian Disaster Management Agency said Thursday that hundreds of people have been displaced by the eruption of Mount Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java. So far, there have been no reports of casualties.
Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in the region. The last eruption of the volcano in 2010 killed 347 people. Then twenty thousand residents had to leave their hometown.
The images show hot clouds rising from the volcano. Along the volcano’s southeast side, a mixture of hot lava, ash and gas traveled up to three miles (5 kilometres), an agency spokesperson said. Ash fell on several villages around the volcano.
About 250 residents are now looking for a safer place. The volcano’s second highest warning level is still in effect. An area of 5 km around the Merapi River has been cleared.
Indonesia is located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a high seismic zone. There are 128 active volcanoes in the area.
The volcano’s last major eruption was in December, when Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on the island of Java, erupted, covering the surrounding villages with a thick layer of mud. The blast killed 48 villagers and lost 36 people. 5,200 homes and buildings were destroyed.
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