Volcano Eruption Causes Widespread Evacuations After Unexpected Activity in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Authorities have launched a large-scale evacuation operation following a sudden and powerful eruption of Mount Merapi on the island of Java. According to the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, the volcano, which had shown signs of increased seismic activity in recent days, erupted at 4:15 AM local time on Thursday. The event released a column of volcanic ash reaching approximately 6,000 meters into the atmosphere and a pyroclastic flow that descended the mountain’s southern slope. Emergency response teams reported that more than 15,000 residents from villages within a 10-kilometer radius of the volcano’s crater have been relocated to temporary shelters. Officials confirmed no immediate casualties, but several districts have reported damage to infrastructure and agricultural land due to heavy ashfall. The nation’s transport ministry has issued a flight advisory, warning of potential disruptions to air travel over eastern Java. An ongoing assessment is underway to determine the full scope of the volcanic event.