Authorities in Indonesia have evacuated hundreds of residents living near Mount Ibu, a volcano in the eastern province of North Maluku, after raising the alert status to the highest level. The decision came after the volcano, located on the remote Halmahera Island, experienced two significant eruptions for the second consecutive day.
On Thursday, Mount Ibu spewed ash and smoke up to 5,000 meters into the sky, prompting officials to elevate the alert to the highest tier of the country’s four-level volcanic alert system. The eruption has affected seven villages within a seven-kilometer radius of the volcano, an area designated as an exclusion zone by authorities.
“As of this morning, around 400 people have been evacuated to several shelters,” said Muhammad Ade Fabanyo, a local disaster mitigation agency official. “Evacuees continue to arrive, and we are taking preventive measures since residents are living within the exclusion zone.”
The evacuated residents have been moved to temporary shelters set up in safer areas, where they are receiving assistance from local agencies. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have urged people to remain vigilant and follow official instructions.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is home to over 120 active volcanoes. Mount Ibu has been intermittently active, but the recent eruptions mark an escalation requiring heightened safety measures.
“Our priority is the safety of the residents,” added Ade. “We are coordinating with various agencies to ensure that those affected receive the necessary support during this time.”
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has advised travelers and locals to stay away from the exclusion zone and to use masks to protect against volcanic ash. Flight alerts have also been issued to warn aircraft of potential ash clouds in the region.
As evacuation efforts continue, authorities are prepared to expand their operations should the volcanic activity intensify. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and heed any further evacuation orders.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
