Indonesia: Thousands flee over fear of Agung volcano eruption

Jakarta (VNA) – Thousands of local people living near the Agung volcano on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali fled on November 22 as there are signs of volcanic eruption for the first time in more than 50 years.

In September, about 140,000 people living around Mount Agung had to leave to their homes due to the same reason, but came back to their houses as the warning was removed. Since then, some 30,000 people have moved to other places.

A new evacuation order was issued after Agung spew an ash column of 700m to the sky on November 21. Local authorities are closely monitoring the volcano’s activities to issue warnings to local residents.

A series of eruptions at Mount Agung during 1963-1964 killed more than 1,600 people and injured hundreds.

Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire where several tectonic plates meet and cause 90 percent of the world’s seismic activity. The country is currently home to nearly 130 active volcanoes.

In 2010, Mount Merapi on Java island, considered one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world, erupted after rumbling since 2006, killing more than 300 people and forcing 280,000 to flee.

Mount Sinabung on Sumatra island, which is currently at its highest alert level, has been active since 2013.-VNA