Thousands flee as one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes erupts

The alert status for one of the archipelago’s most active volcanoes was raised to the highest level on Sunday after the mountain repeatedly sent hot clouds of gas down its slope following a series of eruptions in recent days.

Mt Sinabung in North Sumatra province hurled fresh volcanic ash and gravel as high as 15,000 feet and searing gas down its slope over a mile, said a government volcanologist, Surono, who like many Indonesians uses one name.

The 2,600m-high mountain has sporadically erupted since September after being dormant for three years.

“We are in a situation of high alert due to the danger of searing gas,” Surono said, adding that authorities had urged people to stay at least three miles away from the crater.

About 12,300 evacuees from eight villages around the mountain were packed in crowded government camps away from the fiery crater on Sunday, while more than 6,000 others fled earlier to temporary shelters in 16 safe locations, said National Disaster Mitigation spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

AP