Lava streams from Indonesia’s Mount Merapi in new eruption

Hot lava runs down from the crater of Mount Merapi in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Trisnadi/AP)

Indonesia’s most active volcano has erupted with its biggest lava flow in months, sending a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing 3.5 kilometres (more than two miles) down its slopes on the densely populated island of Java.

The rumbling sound could be heard several kilometres away as Mount Merapi erupted, sending hot ash 600 metres (nearly 2,000ft) into the sky.