Indonesian volcano toll hits 25
The death toll following the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Merapi volcano has risen to 25, officials say, amid fears of fresh eruptions.
Experts told the BBC that the ash levels had subsided a little, but that their readings suggested there would be more volcanic activity soon.
Thousands fled their homes on Tuesday as ash spewed out of the volcano, turning the landscape white.
But many people refused to leave, and rescuers fear the death toll may rise.
One rescuer, Christian Awuy, told the BBC that he feared up to 50 could have been killed.
He said although 10,000 people had been evacuated, many had stayed behind.
The AFP news agency reported local officials as saying the man known as the volcano’s spiritual gatekeeper, Mbah or grandfather Marijan, was among the dead. For many Javanese, Merapi is a sacred site.
Indonesian volcano erupts again; strongest one yet
Indonesia — An Indonesian volcano shot black ash three miles into the air early today — its most powerful eruption since springing back to life after four centuries of dormancy.
The force of Mount Sinabung’s explosion could be felt five miles (eight kilometers) away.
“This one was really terrifying,” said Anissa Siregar, 30, as she and her two sleepy children arrived by truck at an emergency shelter near the base, adding that the whole mountain shook violently for at least three minutes. “It just keeps getting worse.”
The volcano in North Sumatra province erupted last week for the first time since 1600, catching many scientists off guard. With more than 129 active volcanoes to watch, local vulcanologists had failed to monitor it for rising magma, slight uplifts in land and other signs of seismic activity.