Volcanic eruptions at Mount Ibu force evacuations, ash clouds reach kilometers high

The eruptions sent red lava and clouds of grey ash into the sky. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The volcano has been active almost daily since early May, prompting authorities to raise the alert level. On Thursday, ash clouds reached up to 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) above the volcano’s summit. The Geology Agency recorded bursts of incandescent red lava with lightning during the eruptions.

More than 1,900 people have been evacuated from nearby villages, and farmland has been affected by the volcanic activity. Authorities advise residents and tourists to stay at least 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) away from the 1,325-meter (4,347-foot) high volcano.

Indonesia, with its 120 active volcanoes, sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to seismic and volcanic events. (ILKHA)