Indonesia: volcanic ash forces closure of Alas Leuser airport

Indonesian authorities closed an airport in Aceh province on April 7 after Mount Sinabung volcano on the neighbouring island of Sumatra erupted, a local official said.
Indonesia: volcanic ash forces closure of Alas Leuser airport ảnh 1Photo of Mount Sinabung volcano taken on February 19 (Source: Xinhua/VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesianauthorities closed an airport in Aceh province on April 7 after Mount Sinabungvolcano on the neighbouring island of Sumatra erupted, a local official said.

Spokesman of the Indonesian Ministryò Transport Bambang Ervan said NOTAM (notice to airmen) for the closure of AlasLeuser airport was issued on April 7 due to volcanic ash.

The shutdown began at 12:47 the sameday (local time), the spokesman said.

Mount Sinabung in Karo districtspewed a column of volcanic ash and pyrolastic materials into the sky on April6, according to the national disaster management agency.

Mount Sinabung is one of the 129active volcanoes in Indonesia. Areas around the crater of thevolcano have been off-limits for several years because of frequent volcanicactivity.

At least ten people were killed andthousands of people were evacuated in 2014 when the volcano woke up after fourdecades.-VNA
VNA

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