Mount Sinabung eruption: Indonesian officials issue warning after volcano erupts

Indonesian officials are on alert after an active volcano erupted, sending a huge column of ash thousands of feet into the sky.

Mount Sinabung, on the island of Sumatra, erupted for around nine minutes on Sunday, sending clouds of volcanic ash 7 km into the sky.

The volcano has seen a spike in activity since its last major eruption in 2010.

Although no casualties were reported, officials monitoring the volcano warned of possible fresh eruptions.

"After the eruption, from midnight until 6 am, there were a few aftershocks," said Willy, a scientist at a Sinabung observatory post, who uses one name, like many Indonesians.

Authorities left unchanged the alert level for Sinabung, but urged residents to use face masks and keep indoors to guard against volcanic ashfall.

Sinabung mountain spews volcanic smoke in Tiga Pancur Village, Karo.
EPA

Mount Sinabung, which is 2,460m (8,071 ft) high, is among Indonesia's most active volcanoes, but had been inactive for four centuries before its 2010 eruption.

Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanoes, more than any other country.

A volcanic ash cloud from Mount Sinabung hovers over Karo.
SINARISA SITEPU

It follows the eruption of Mount Agung on the Indonesia island of Bali last month, which caused several flights to be cancelled.

The eruption, which lasted four minutes and 30 seconds, spread lava and incandescent rocks about 3 kilometres from the crater.

No one was injured although nine villages experienced ash fall.

The Foreign office advises against all travel within 7 kilometres of the Mount Sinabung crater in Kalo Regency, Sumatra, as well as within 4 kilometres of Mount Agung’s crater in Bali.

“There are many active volcanoes in Indonesia, any of which can erupt with little or no warning,” it says.

“This often results in the evacuation of villages within a 3 to 7 kilometre radius and disruption to air travel in the wider region.”

“Take extra care and follow the advice of local authorities, including respecting any exclusion zones,” the Foreign Office advises.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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