Over 20,000 evacuated after volcano erupts in Sumatra

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August 30, 2010

(KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) — More than 20,000 people living near Mount Sinabung on the Indonesian island of Sumatra have been evacuated after the volcano erupted on Sunday for the first time in 400 years, local media said.

Earlier reports said at least 12,000 people from villages within a 6 kilometer (3.7 miles) radius of the volcano were evacuated to government-provided shelters outside the danger zone.

A vast cloud of ash and smoke is hanging over the area, causing some local flights to be suspended.

Mount Sinabung erupted again on Monday, Indonesian officials said.

Photostream : Volcano erupts in North Sumatra, Indonesia

Mount Sinabung spews volcanic smoke in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. The volcano spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in its first eruption in 400 years causing thousands of people living around its slope to evacuate their homes. (Getty Images)

Villagers who flee erupting Mount Sinabung rest at a temporary shelter in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. The volcano spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in its first eruption in 400 years causing thousands of people living around its slope to evacuate their homes. (Getty Images)

Villagers who live on the slope of Mount Sinabung receive food at a temporary shelter in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. The volcano spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in its first eruption in 400 years causing thousands of people living around its slope to evacuate their homes. (Getty Images)

A villager comforts her son at a temporary shelter as they fled from erupting Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. The volcano spewed hot lava and sand high into the sky early Sunday in its first eruption in 400 years causing thousands of people living around its slope to evacuate their homes. (Getty Images)

Villager wear mask to protect their respirations from volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatera, Indonesia, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. The volcano blew up thick smoke and materials on Friday causing hundreds of people fled their villages despite the absence of evacuation order from authorities. Indonesia has 500 volcanoes, more than any other countries in the world. (Getty Images)

Mount Sinabung erupted in Tanah Karo, North Sumatera (August 28, 2010) Photo : DETIK.COM

People flee as unexpected volcano erupts in Tanah karo, North Sumatera (Indonesia) Photo : DETIK.COM

Indonesia : One dies in Mount Sinabung eruption

Mount Sinabung

Jakarta (KATAKAMI / ANTARA) – One local resident was reported to have died following the eruption of Mount Sinabung in Tanah Karo district, North Sumatra at 0.15 am local time on Sunday.

Presidential Special Staff for Natural Disaster Andi Arif said in his twitter social network account he was informed by a resident of Cinta Rakyat village that a local resident Surbakti (54) had died.

Andi said that Surbakti died on the way when he was evacuated from his home to a safer place. He suffered from a breathing problem.

The 2,460 meter-high Mt Sinabung erupted early on Sunday at 0.15 a.m Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB).

According to the Indonesian Red Cross office for North Sumatra, about 14,000 residents have been evacuated to safer plances.

The volcano had been inactive for many years with the previous eruption event occurring in 1600. Ash spewed into the atmosphere up to 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) high and lava was seen near the crater.

Indonesia : Twelve thousands evacuated over Mount Sinabung in eruption

Villager wear mask to protect their respirations from volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatera, Indonesia, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. (Getty Images)

Jakarta (KATAKAMI / ANTARA) – About 12 thousand local residents around Mount Sinabung which erupted at 0:15 am local time on Sunday have been evacuated to safer places, a red-cross official said.

“Based on temporary data collected by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) a total of 12 thousand locals of 14 villages in three sub districts have been evacuated,” Muhammad Irsal, a member of PMI`s disaster mitigation task force (Satgana), said when he was contacted through the phne here on Sunday.

Mt Sinabung has been spewing thick smokes and vulcanic ashes since Friday night.

Since then, North Sumatra branch of PMI has sent 5 personnel to the location.

Muhammad Irsal is one them who is now in the disaster location in Sigaranggarang village, near Mt Sinabung.

He said that locations impacted by the mount eruption included Bekerah, Simacan, Suka Nalau, Sigaranggarang, Kota Gunung, Kuta Rakyat and Kota Bayakan villages in Namanparang sub district; Sukameria and Selandi villages in Payung sub district; and Mardinding, Kutambaru and Terdaji villages in Payung sub district.

The PMI personnel worked hand-in-hand with the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), local government, health services and social affairs services in evacuating residents.

Until Sunday morning, the locations around Mt Sinabung have been sterilized and deserted because all residents have been evacuated, according to Irsal.

“We felt strong tremors last night. It was a vulcanic quake. After that, the crater of Mount Sinabung spewed glowing lava. And trees in the mount slopes were burnt. It was followed by thick clouds that caused visibility to be only about five meters. We soon helped locals to evacuate to safer locations,” Irsal said.

He said that on Saturday night, PMI had distributed some 500 masks before it sent three personnel from North Sumatra office and one ambulance car to carry out mobile monitoring around the locations.