In northeastern Indonesia, parts of a volcanic island are in danger of collapsing into the sea after several eruptions. Authorities warn of a possible tsunami. Thousands of people have already been brought to safety.
After the Ruang volcano erupted in northeastern Indonesia, authorities issued the highest alert level and warned of a possible tsunami. There have been several violent eruptions in the past two days on the volcanic island in the Sangihe archipelago north of Sulawesi.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazards (PVMBG) warned that parts of the volcano could fall into the sea and trigger high tidal waves. Thousands of people were brought to safety. In total, more than 11,000 people were asked to leave the area. Tourists should stay at least six kilometers away from Ruang Volcano.
Manado airport closed
On Wednesday, the 725-meter-high mountain of fire hurled clouds of ash and rock 3,000 meters into the sky. The authorities imposed an exclusion zone within a six-kilometer radius of the crater. Ash and stones also fell on the island of Tagulandang, five kilometers away, injuring residents there, said a disaster control spokesman.
On Thursday, the airport in Manado, the provincial capital of North Sulawesi, was closed as a precautionary measure. Flights between the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and the states of Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo have also been canceled, the newspaper “The Borneo Post” reported, citing the airline Malaysia Airlines.
Indonesia lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, the most geologically active zone on earth. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are not uncommon there. The Ruang had already triggered a violent tsunami more than 150 years ago. 400 people died in the natural disaster in 1871.
Angelika Henkel, ARD Singapore, tagesschau, April 18, 2024 8:53 a.m