Indonesia evacuates 12,000 people, warns of tsunami due to volcanic eruption.

According to Indonesian officials, eruptions of Indonesia's Ruang volcano have forced the closure of seven airports and sent ash as far as Malaysia. Authorities have also evacuated thousands of people due to fears of a tsunami.

The Ruang volcano is erupting violently. Photo: Antara

The Indonesian National Meteorological Agency (BMKG) released a map on the morning of May 1st showing that volcanic ash had spread as far as eastern Malaysia on the island of Borneo, bordering Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. According to the state-run air traffic control provider AirNav Indonesia, the spread of volcanic ash forced the closure of seven airports, including the largest airport in Manado province.

Mount Ruang erupted three times on April 30, spewing lava and ash more than 5 kilometers into the sky and forcing authorities to issue an evacuation order for 12,000 people. A rescue ship and a warship were deployed to help transport thousands of people from the nearby island of Tagulandang to Siau Island due to warnings of a volcanic rock falling into the sea, potentially causing a tsunami.

According to BMKG, since the first eruption on April 17, at least 3,614 houses, 2 churches, and 1 school have been damaged by lava and volcanic ash. The Volcano and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has upgraded Mount Ruang's status from level 3 to level 4.

KHANH MINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/indonesia-so-tan-12000-nguoi-canh-bao-song-than-do-nui-lua-phun-post737903.html