Jakarta: A volcano erupted in central Indonesia on Saturday, spewing hot ash and rocks high into the air and killing five people, an official said.
Mount Rokatenda, on the tiny island of Palue, sent fast-moving red-hot ash onto a nearby beach, leaving three adults and two children dead, said vulcanology centre head Surono.
Rokatenda has been on high alert since October, with authorities banning people from any activities within three kilometres (1.9 miles) from the crater on the island of around 7,000 inhabitants.
Surono, speaking from Bandung city on Java island, said his staff at the scene had reported the five people had been killed within the exclusion zone.
It was not clear what the victims had been doing in the restricted area when it erupted, he said.
"We have found the bodies of the adults, but we are still looking for the children, and it is difficult because the area is still very hot," Surono, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.
The volcano began erupting at 04:27 am (2027 GMT Friday) and it continued for nearly four hours, said Surono.
He said volcanic ash travelled as far as 2,000 metres (6,560 feet) from the crater.
The Indonesian archipelago has dozens of active volcanoes and straddles major tectonic fault lines known as the "Ring of Fire" between the Pacific and Indian oceans.
The country's most active volcano, Mount Merapi in central Java, killed more than 350 people in a series of violent eruptions in 2010.
Mount Rokatenda, on the tiny island of Palue, sent fast-moving red-hot ash onto a nearby beach, leaving three adults and two children dead, said vulcanology centre head Surono.
Rokatenda has been on high alert since October, with authorities banning people from any activities within three kilometres (1.9 miles) from the crater on the island of around 7,000 inhabitants.
It was not clear what the victims had been doing in the restricted area when it erupted, he said.
Advertisement
The volcano began erupting at 04:27 am (2027 GMT Friday) and it continued for nearly four hours, said Surono.
Advertisement
The Indonesian archipelago has dozens of active volcanoes and straddles major tectonic fault lines known as the "Ring of Fire" between the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
3 Indians Among Crew Detained On Singapore Ship Carrying Drugs: Report India, Indonesia, Australia Resolve To Work Towards Free Indo-Pacific To Enjoy "Days Of Peace" In Indonesia Like Tanishaa Mukerji, Visit These 5 Scenic Islands Why BJP Lost Lok Sabha Polls In Uttar Pradesh - 6 Reasons In Party Report "Re-Exam Only On Concrete Footing": Supreme Court On NEET-UG Row World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage "NEET-UG Re-Test Only If Sanctity Lost On Large Scale": Supreme Court "Former Weight Of 120 Kg": Doctor Shares How Weight Loss Changed Her Life Experts Develop Breakthrough Anti-Ageing Drug That Extends Lifespan by 25% Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.