The death toll from an Indonesian tsunami has climbed to 154 with more than 400 people still missing, an official said today, as rescuers tried to help its victims and those affected by an erupting volcano.

INDONESIA’S Mount Merapi erupted three times yesterday, causing thousands to flee and claiming the life of a three-month-old baby girl as it emitted searing clouds and volcanic ash.

INDONESIA warned yesterday that its most volatile volcano could erupt at any time and started evacuating some of the thousands of villagers living on the mountain’s slope.

Indonesia’s Mount Merapi has spewed more gas and clouds of hot ash down its slopes, prompting 15,000 villagers to run for their lives, some jumping into rivers to escape the searing heat.