Mount Ruang, a remote volcano in Indonesia, erupted multiple times on Tuesday, sending lava and ash more than 5km into the sky. This led to the evacuation of 12,000 locals from the surrounding areas. In response to the eruption, rescue ships were dispatched to transfer thousands of people from neighbouring Tagulandang island to Siau island due to fears of a potential tsunami caused by parts of the volcano falling into the sea.
Residents, including a 95-year-old woman named Rosalin Salindeho, expressed their fear and shock at the eruption, with rocks raining down on the area. The eruption also resulted in the closure of several airports, including those in Manado and Gorontalo, as volcanic ash spread as far as eastern Malaysia on Borneo island. The country’s meteorological agency issued warnings about the ash plume and urged people to remain outside a 7km exclusion zone around the volcano.
According to Julius Ramopolii, head of Mount Ruang monitoring post, the volcano continued to emit ash and smoke above the crater on Wednesday. The alert level for the volcano remained at its highest, and officials urged locals to stay away from the area due to the ongoing volcanic activity. The eruption at Mount Ruang raised concerns about the potential for a tsunami similar to the one triggered by the collapse of the crater of Mount Anak Krakatoa in 2018, which resulted in a devastating tsunami that killed hundreds of people and injured thousands.
Indonesia, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, is prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The recent eruptions at Mount Ruang highlighted the constant threat posed by volcanic eruptions in the region and the need for preparedness and evacuation plans in the event of such disasters. The government and officials in Indonesia worked quickly to evacuate residents, close airports, and monitor the situation to ensure the safety of those living near the volcano. The eruption at Mount Ruang serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanic activity and the importance of being prepared for potential disasters in volcano-prone regions.
