Volcano Claims Seven Lives In Western Indonesia
MEP: A volcano erupted in western Indonesia leaving at least seven people dead on Sunday, castigating clouds of volcanic ash into the sky.
According to reports, two other people are in critical condition, as an official warned of more eruptions.
The victims were farming in an area that was declared unsafe because of its close proximity to Mount Sinabung.
Disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that a highly-active volcano on Sumatra island, unleashed a series of fresh eruptions on Saturday afternoon.
He said ash tumbled down the slopes as far as 3 miles westward into a river.
“Nine people were struck by the hot clouds. Six died, and three others remain critical with burns,” he said earlier, adding the injured had been taken to hospital.
Rescue teams are still scouring the area, looking for more victims who may have been killed or badly burned by the hot gas and ash clouds released in the eruption.
Earlier on Sunday, security personnel blocked some villagers who wanted to enter the village to take their abandoned belongings.
