The Mount Ruang Volcano in Indonesia erupts

Rescuers from Indonesia hurried to evacuate thousands of people on Thursday after a volcano erupted five times, causing authorities to close an airport nearby and issue a warning about potentially tsunami-causing falling debris.

Authorities closed the closest international airport in Manado city, Sulawesi island, for a full day on Thursday morning due to the volcano in Indonesia's most remote area continuing to spew a column of smoke.

After erupting four times on Wednesday, Mount Ruang's crater blazed with lava against a backdrop of lightning strikes overnight, prompting authorities to elevate the alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system.

Authorities reported that they were working quickly to remove 11,000 people from the surrounding area, which included the isolated island of Tagulandang, which is inhabited by about 20,000 people. Officials said that some residents were already attempting to escape in a panic.

The Manado region airport authority office's head, Ambar Suryoko, stated in a statement that the runway closure was "due to the spread of volcanic ash which could endanger flight safety." Airlines to Singapore, as well as places in South Korea and China, operate out of this airport.

Before four more explosions on Wednesday, more than 800 residents were first evacuated from Ruang to the neighboring island of Tagulandang after the first eruption on Tuesday evening. Authorities also issued a tsunami warning in response to the eruptions.

News Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/18/asia-pacific/indonesia-ruang-volcano-eruption/