MANADO, Indonesia: Indonesia’s Mount Ruang volcano unleashed multiple eruptions on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue the highest level of alert and order the evacuation of thousands of residents due to the looming threat of tsunami from debris sliding into the sea.
The country’s volcanology agency had previously warned of ongoing volcanic activity after Mount Ruang erupted several times earlier this month, leading to the evacuation of over 6,000 individuals. The latest eruptions occurred around 01:15 am local time on Tuesday and were followed by additional eruptions later that morning, sending ash clouds towering over five kilometers into the sky and unleashing fiery columns of lava.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) estimated that approximately 11,000 to 12,000 people residing near Mount Ruang’s crater needed to be relocated to safer areas. Local disaster mitigation agencies, along with military and police personnel, have been actively involved in evacuating residents from the affected areas.
A seven-kilometer exclusion zone has been established around Mount Ruang, with authorities warning of the potential hazards including incandescent rock ejections, hot clouds, and tsunamis resulting from volcanic material entering the sea. To mitigate the risk of a tsunami, rescue ships and warships have been dispatched to facilitate the evacuation of thousands from nearby Tagulandang island to Siau island.
The evacuation efforts were prompted by fears of a potential tsunami, particularly in light of historical incidents such as the 1871 wave that claimed hundreds of lives following volcanic debris entering the sea. More recent events, including the partial collapse of the crater of Mount Anak Krakatoa in 2018, which triggered a deadly tsunami, have heightened concerns about the potential impact of volcanic activity on coastal communities.
Despite previous evacuations, some residents had returned to their homes after the emergency response ended, but the latest eruption has forced many to evacuate once again. The closure of Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, over 100 kilometers away, due to volcanic ash from Mount Ruang further underscores the disruptive impact of the eruption on regional transportation.
Indonesia, situated within the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences seismic and volcanic events, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing natural disasters and ensuring the safety and well-being of affected populations.
