Volcano activity sparks concern

ABOUT 8,500 people have fled the slopes of an Indonesian volcano after it spewed ash, smoke and debris, as the volcanology office raised its warning to the highest level.

The office said volcanic activity at Mount Gamkonora, about 2,700 kilometres northeast of Jakarta, prompted it to raise its warning level to “alert” which means an eruption is imminent.

Spot fires were visible and the crater spewed burning material up to 15 metres from the crater, the office said.

People nearby heard two thunderous booms and the column of smoke rising from the crater reached up to 2,500 metres.

It said at least 8,439 people had moved off the slopes of the 1,635m volcano, which last erupted in 1987.

It was unclear how many remained on the slopes and were at risk.

Local official Penta Libela said authorities were helping with the evacuation and had prepared four safe shelters.

“It is not an official evacuation programme. The population panicked because of the eruption and fled on their own and as the local government, we are merely helping by providing more vehicles and assigning temporary shelters,” Libela said.

Indonesia has the world’s highest number of active volcanoes.