Volcano death toll hits 191

THE death toll from the eruption of Indonesia’s most active volcano increased to 191 yesterday as more bodies were pulled from ruined villages, while ash continued to disrupt air traffic.

Mount Merapi, which means “Mountain of Fire“, has been spewing ash and heat clouds since late October, incinerating entire settlements and forcing 340,000 people to flee to makeshift camps.

An official said the sharp increase in the death toll from 151 was probably due to rescuers recovering more bodies in the central Java area where the volcano is located.