MANADO: Indonesian rescuers raced to evacuate thousands of people on Thursday after a volcano erupted five times, forcing authorities to close a nearby airport and issue a warning that the crater collapsing into the sea could cause a tsunami.
Mount Ruang’s crater flamed with lava against a backdrop of lightning bolts overnight after eruptions pushed an ash column over a mile into the sky and forced Indonesian authorities to raise their alert to the highest level of a four-tiered system.
Mount Ruang, located on a remote island in Indonesia’s outermost region, erupted five times, sending an ash column soaring over a mile high into the sky and casting a fiery glow over the surrounding area. The eruptions prompted authorities to raise the alert level to the highest tier, warning of potential hazards including volcanic lightning and a collapse of the crater into the sea, which could generate a tsunami.
Fishermen at sea witnessed the dramatic eruption, describing a scene of fire and rocks as lava flowed in various directions. Houses on nearby Tagulandang Island were pummeled by falling volcanic rocks, prompting rescuers to assist residents in evacuating to safer areas.
Authorities sprang into action, mobilizing rescue teams and deploying rubber boats to evacuate more than 11,000 residents from the affected area. Panicked residents fled on their own, seeking evacuation routes amid the chaos caused by the volcanic activity.
In a precautionary measure, tourists and residents were urged to stay outside a six-kilometer exclusion zone around the volcano. The navy and police were mobilized to assist in the evacuation effort, ferrying residents to safety and providing aid to displaced individuals.
Authorities remained on high alert, recalling the devastating 2018 tsunami triggered by the collapse of Mount Anak Krakatoa’s crater. The eruption also prompted the closure of Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado.
