Indonesia death toll rises to 138

The number of people killed by an Indonesian volcano that burst back to life two weeks ago has climbed to 138, hospital officials said today.

Sigit Priohutomo, who works at Sardjito hospital, said the toll rose by 20 after patients caught up in a blistering fireball yesterday died from their injuries.

The tiny hospital at the foot of Mount Merapi was today struggling to cope with victims brought in after the mountain unleashed its most powerful eruption in a century – some with burns covering 95% of their body.

Priohutomo, also charged with tallying the dead for the government, said at least 94 people were killed in the latest blast.

Forty-four people had already died, most in the initial eruption on October 26.