Indonesia’s volcano spews ash and lava in deadly eruption

Remains of a bridge in a slope, destroyed by the flowing lava, is shown in the Lumajang District in Indonesia (AP)

The highest volcano on Indonesia’s most densely populated island of Java has spewed thick columns of ash, searing gas and lava down its slopes in a sudden eruption triggered by heavy rains.

At least one villager died from burns and dozens more were taken to hospital after Mount Semeru’s eruption in the Lumajang district of East Java province left several villages blanketed with falling ash.