Indonesia’s Mount Ibu volcano on the remote Halmahera island has erupted spectacularly, spewing a massive ash cloud into the sky and prompting the evacuation of residents from seven nearby villages. The eruption occurred on Saturday evening, releasing ash that reached 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in height, accompanied by streaks of purple lightning. A joint team of police, military, and search and rescue officials was dispatched to the area to evacuate residents from surrounding villages, according to a statement from Abdul Muhari of the disaster mitigation agency. The disaster agency shared photos showing authorities assisting the elderly, while other residents were moved in pick-up trucks and accommodated in emergency tents for the night. Indonesia’s volcanology agency raised the alert level of the volcano to the highest level on Thursday, following multiple eruptions earlier this month. The eruption of Mount Ibu is part of a series of volcanic activities in Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and has 127 active volcanoes. In recent weeks, North Sulawesi’s Ruang volcano has also erupted, spewing incandescent lava and prompting the evacuation of over 12,000 people on a nearby island. The eruption of Mount Ibu serves as a reminder of the ongoing volcanic activity in Indonesia and the potential risks it poses to local communities.
Indonesia’s Mount Ibu Erupts, Spewing Ash and Forcing Evacuations
