Volcano Erupted Five times in Indonesia Affecting Thousands

Image Courtesy- Matthew Feinberg from Twitter/X

Mathipa Phishego

(The Post News) – The Indonesian authorities have started evacuating thousands of people who could be in danger following reports of a volcano eruption. The volcano has erupted five times, which resulted in the closure of a nearby airport, and warnings have been issued about the potential dangers of falling lava, which could also cause a tsunami.

The crater of Mount Ruang flamed forcing authorities to raise alerts to the highest levels after erupting four times. The crater glammed with lava against a backdrop of lightning bolts overnight. This was after it erupted for the fourth time on Wednesday night.

Jandry Paendong, an official from the local search and rescue agency, stated “Last night people evacuated on their own but without direction due to the volcano’s eruption and materials in the form of small rocks that fell”.

As panic spread among the populace, authorities managed to evacuate around 11,000 residents from the vicinity. This included the remote Island of Tagulandang, inhabited by approximately 20,000 people. “People were dispersing, seeking evacuation routes,” said Jandry in a statement issued on Thursday.

Following the initial eruption on Tuesday evening, over 800 individuals were initially evacuated from Ruang to the nearby Tagulandang Island. However, as the volcano erupted four more times on Wednesday, tourists and residents alike were advised to steer clear of a six-kilometer exclusion zone for their safety.

The nearest international airport in Manado City on Sulawesi Island had to be closed for 24 hours due to the ongoing smoke and ash emanating from the outermost region of Indonesia on Thursday morning. Paendong reported that 20 staff members assisted in evacuating residents along the coastline near the volcano on rubber boats. Additional boats and equipment were also called in to aid in the evacuation of people near the coast.

Dimas, a 29-year-old airport officer in Manado, reported to AFP via phone that all flights were affected due to the eruption of Mount Ruang. As a result, the airport has been impacted and the airlines that fly to Singapore, South Korea, and China have been affected by this event.

Hendra Gunawan, head of Indonesia’s volcanology agency, said in a statement “The communities in Tagulandang Island, particularly those residing near the beach need to be alert for the potential injection of incandescent rocks, hot clouds discharges, and Tsunami caused by the collapse of the volcano’s body into the sea”.

Authorities also warned the country of a possible Tsunami resulting from eruptions. The battle for safety is still underway, as authorities try their best to save thousands of people.