A VOLCANO in the Pacific Ring of Fire has erupted five times sparking a tsunami warning and mass evacuation.
Over 11,000 people fled their homes after Mount Ruang exploded, spewing flames and red smoke into a lightning-filled sky.
AFPDramatic pictures showed red smoke, flames and lightning fill the sky[/caption]
Molten lava pouring from Mount Ruang in IndonesiaReuters
Officials fear part of the volcano could break off and fall into the seaEPA
Incredible images show the mile-long stream of burning ash and smoke unfurling from the Indonesia volcano.
Officials fear part of it could collapse after the massive eruption, sparking a tsunami.
Today they warned that a tidal wave could reach up to 25 metres high on the west side of remote Tagulandang Island.
Alert levels were raised from three to four – the highest tier – amid fears of the huge natural disaster.
The 725-metre volcano first erupted on Tuesday night around 9.45pm before four more explosions hit on Wednesday.
Those at risk in nearby areas have been evacuated to the closest city by rubber boats on six-hour trips.
More than 800 people fled two villages on the Ruang and Tagulandang Islands with another 11,000 from close-by areas.
In 1871 part of Mount Ruang did collapse into the sea after an eruption, sparking a tsunami and killing around 400 people.
Ruang, a stratovolcano, is one of the most active in the Ring of Fire region – a tectonic belt of volcanoes and earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean.
Hendra Gunawan, chief of Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, said today the “visual activity and seismicity” has significantly shot up since Tuesday.
She said: “People who live in the P. Tagulandang area within a 6 km radius must be immediately evacuated to a safe place outside the 6 km radius.”
The volcanic expert also warned people to be on the look out for hot cloud discharge and falling rocks after the eruption.
EPASome 11,000 people have been evacuated from nearby areas[/caption]
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Leave a comment
